Nalasopara: A fire that broke out at the Imperial Heritage residential building in Achole, Nalasopara East, on Tuesday night damaged 22 flats, with two of them gutted completely. The fire brigade said on Thursday that an illegal power connection taken by residents for a Navratri celebration in the society premises may have caused an overload, leading to a short circuit and the blaze.The fire broke out on the 13th floor of the building’s B wing. Two women, identified as Falguni Shah and Ashwini Parkar, died in the incident, while six others were injured.Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation’s fire department chief Rohan More said the fire brigade had conducted an inspection of the site. Residents had organised a Navratri celebration and allegedly taken an improper electricity connection for the event, resulting in an additional load and a short circuit. While two flats were completely gutted, 20 others suffered partial damage.The fire brigade said the flames spread rapidly as most flats had wooden doors outside their entrances.The building’s fire safety system was found to be non-functional, officials said. The developer had handed over the building to residents in 2023. However, a dispute arose over the demand for three separate housing societies for the building’s three wings. The matter was subsequently taken to the sub-registrar’s office.Achole police senior inspector Sujitkumar Pawar said a notice had been issued to the developer and an explanation had been sought from residents in connection with the incident.Police have registered an accidental death report and further action will be taken after an inquiry.Meanwhile, electricity supply to the affected B wing had not been restored till Thursday. Arrangements have been made for some residents to stay in nearby hotels.
