After massive blaze kills 6 members of family in old part of city, MiD DAY surveys fire safety at the historic wadas
After massive blaze kills 6 members of family in old part of city, MiD DAY surveys fire safety at the historic wadas
After the massive fire at Ganesh Peth in which six members of a family were killed, MiD DAY surveyed the old, historic wadas in the city to see how vulnerable they were to fires. Many of the wadas were in a dilapidated condition and lacked even basic fire safety facilities.
Talking to residents, officials of the PMC and fire brigade personnel on the precarious condition of these remnants of a lost era, MiD DAY pieced together a story of neglect that was making the wadas dangerous places to inhabit.
Bhide Wada, Budhwar Peth; 6 shops
This 100-year-old wada is caught in a contentious court case between the PMC and the shop owners, who run
their businesses on the ground floor.u00a0One part of the wada was demolished before the court case began in 2006, where shop owners complained that the PMC wanted them to hand over the structure claiming it was a heritage building as it had housed the first girls' school in the city run by Savitribai Phule. 
In a shambles: The dilapidated Bhide Wada at Budhwarpeth.
Pic/jignesh mistry
Shopkeepers had made an agreement with a builder wherein the structure was to be demolished and redeveloped, where they would get new spaces for their shops. Asked about fire safety, shopkeeper Ashwin Shah (44) said their shops were safe since they were on the ground floor and they had reinforced their roofs with girders, which would protect them if the building came down. "We only want the PMC to allow us the redevelopment and not make foolish claims about some social worker's school for girls. They can't even provide evidence of it," he said.
Fire precautions
1. Most old wadas in the city have little ventilation. Creation of a ventilation system for smoke in case of a
fire is a must.
2. Wadas usually have only one gate for entry and exit. There is a need to create a special emergency exit point that is obstacle-free.
3. Wadas tend to accumulate junk such as old wood, furniture and clothes in their attics, which catch fire easily. These should be removed.
4. Installation of fire extinguishers needs to be done.
Mote Wada, near Shaniwar Wada; 25 families
This wada is in an extremely dilapidated condition, with one part destroyed and the debris still lying around. Resident Vikrant Ghorpade (23) said fire safety was definitely a serious issue that needed to be addressed. 
WeAthering away: Mote Wada has reduced to ruins over the years.
Pic/Jignesh Mistry
"But the owners, who are three brothers, are busy squabbling among themselves in court over the property, so they cannot be approached. Most of the residents have left since the building is not safe," said Ghorpade.
Fire extinguisher
A fire extinguisher is a small cylinder with a pipe that can be operated by a person to put off a blaze. Sodium bicarbonate, a dry chemical powder, is used in it. The contents spread on the fire stopping oxygen supply to the blaze. The cost of a fire extinguisher ranges from Rs 1,100 to Rs 1,500. It is available with G A Dakhave (9881358373), N V Datar (9822026705) and L N Raut (9890000101). The fire brigade is ready to provide training on how to use a fire extinguisher at each wada.
Operation of fire extinguisher
1. Keep extinguisher upright and remove safety clip
2. Hold nozzle in hand and strike knob
3. Direct the discharge at base of flames
Raste Wada, Rasta Peth; 70 families
This massive wada witnessed a fire on May 27 last year, when one section was gutted but no casualties were reported. Amit Bidkar (34), a working professional, said that the owner, Anil Raste, did not even interact with the tenants, so fire safety had not been discussed at all. "It is ideal to have such precautions, but the nature of relationship between us is not even functional," he said. 
Gutted glory: The Raste Wada had witnessed a massive fire last year
at Rastapeth. Pic/jignesh mistry
Raste's wife Poornima (40) said the PMC had declared the wada a heritage structure about five years ago. "The rent here is Rs 8 to Rs 10 per month. Plus, we also have to maintain our own home, which itself is a heritage site. We pay around Rs 18,000 per year to PMC as property taxes," she said. According to Poornima, the wada had few maintenance issues except for seepage during the monsoon.
Angre Wada, Shivaji Road; 100 families
One of the largest among the prominent wadas in the city, this 100-year-old wada also lacks any safety measures. Resident Kundalik Nagre said the owner, Manikrao Jachak, had never shown his face to them and lived in Sangli district.
Paradise lost: The largest heritage building, Angre Wada off Shivaji
Road also lacks fire safety. Pic/Jignesh Mistry
"Although we do not have any fire safety here, we have a 100-feet well, from which we can draw water during emergencies. If the government asks us to make certain provisions for fire safety, we definitely will," he said. The wada is still in good condition and has not seen any accidents.
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Over 3,000 wadas in the city
No. of old wadas: Over 3,000
Major fires in the heritage houses in the past 25 years: 60
Some of the places in the past three years that have seen fires: Wakankar Wada (Tulshibaug), Baldota Wada (Raviwar Peth), Ashirwad Karyalaya and Wada (Shaniwar Peth)
According to a survey done by Smilex Research Group for the PMC two years ago, there are 1,182 dilapidated wadas. Most of them are in the old city and have been around since the Peshwa era 200 years ago. Only Vishrambaug Wada and Nana Wada have fire extinguishers .
Provisions in the Maharashtra Fire and Life Safety Act 2006
*u00a0PMC can issue notice to wada owner for installing fire extinguisher for tenants' safety
* It is mandatory to install fire extinguisher for each structure which is below 15 metres in height
* If the owner of a wada or old structure refuses to install fire extinguisher, the civic body can cut off the water connection as a punishment, and later even the power connection
* If a wada owner remains adamant about install fire safety measures, the PMC can file a criminal case against him
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