Two officers of the Mumbai Fire Brigade who died in Saturday's fire at the Gokul Niwas in Kalbadevi in Mumbai were cremated today at the Chandanwadi crematorium in Marine Lines.
The two officers, S Rane and M D Desai, were killed after the building caught fire and collapsed. They were trapped under the burning debris and could not be rescued.
This morning, their mortal remains were brought to the Mumbai Fire Brigade Headquarters for their friends and family to pay their final respects.
Mr Desai, had once before suffered injuries during the fire at the Mont Blanc skyscraper in Kemp's Corner in South Mumbai. Seven people had died in the incident
Sunita Desai, wife of Mr Desai, expects the government to take care of what remains of her family.
"We want a job and quarters from the government. My daughter is an MBBS first year student and I can't pay her fees. Our lives have changed drastically in one day.
She broke down in front of her husband's mortal remains as she narrated how the couple had planned the evening before Mr Desai had left for work that day.
"We were supposed to watch a film last evening. But he left for work and never returned," she said.
The city's chief fire officer Sunil Nesrikar, who was also injured in the fire, has been admitted to hospital with 50% burns while his deputy S D Amin has suffered over 90% burns. Both of them are being treated at the National Burns Centre in Airoli. While Mr Nesrikar is showing signs of improvement, Mr Amin remains critical.
About speculations that better equipment could have saved the lives of the officers, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, PS Rahangadale explained how none of the fire suits used by the officers are fire proof, but only fire resistant and that a drastic rise in temperature can kill a fireman even if he has a fire suit on.
"We have the best of equipment. We are getting the support but there is no uniform which is fire proof. They are fire resistant. In a scenario when the entire building comes down and the debris is burning, in that situation nothing can survive," he said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered an enquiry into the incident. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has assured the families who were living in the building of financial assistance and any other help that may require.
In a city where many old buildings lack basic firefighting equipment with no emergency escapes, the structures are death traps. In such cases, fire officers have no option but to risk their lives every day, which at times prove to be fatal.