Mumbai: Brave 10-Yr-Old Girl Saves Many In A Fire That Claimed 4 Lives

It was a holiday for 10-year-old Zen Sadavarte due to Eid-Ul-Adha celebrations all over the country. Little did she know that the day would turn out to be a nightmare for her family and every other resident in a high-rise in Parel, Mumbai. She was sleeping in her room until her parents frantically woke her up. The anxious looks on their faces soon turned into terror as their entire apartment was filled with pungent grey smoke. With everyone panicking around, Zen did not lose her calm. Her presence of mind saved many lives yesterday in a deadly fire that claimed 4 lives and severely injured around 16 others, reported Deccan Chronicle.

Mumbai high-rise without Occupation Certificate caught on fire

On the morning of August 22, a fire broke out in the 12th floor of the 17-storeyed Crystal Towers in a posh locality in Parel. According to media reports, the fire department officials stated that they were able to rescue around 36 people from the high-rise. Around 20 victims who sustained serious burns were rushed to the local KEM Hospital but unfortunately, 4 of them, including an elderly woman, succumbed to their injuries, while the remaining are still undergoing treatment.

Reportedly, the building, which was already occupied by around 58 flat-owners does not even possess the mandatory Occupation Certificate granted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). News18 reported that the building’s developer, Abdul Razak Ismail Supariwala was arrested later that day under sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others) 337 (causing hurt) and 338 (causing grievous hurt) of the Indian Penal Code.

He has also been booked under the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Act 2006. The cause of the fire can only be determined after a proper investigation, said the Police officials. Mumbai Fire Brigade Chief P S Rahangdale also said that the building’s firefighting system was not in place.

Zen’s bravery saved lives in the fire

Zen Sadavarte, a class VI student of Don Bosco International School in Matunga, lives with her family on the 16th floor of the Crystal Towers Apartments. Her foresight saved the lives of her family members as well as many others yesterday. She remembered the fire safety lessons of a school project she did in the third standard and showed quick wit in implementing the steps while moving everyone to safety.

Zen Gunratan Sadavarte, a 10-year-old girl helped in evacuation operation during the fire that broke out in Mumbai's Crystal Tower, today, says. 'I convinced people to put wet cloth on their face so that they do not suffocate. I had done a research on this.' #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/9Gk7vgDao2

— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2018

Notwithstanding her own injuries, Zen did not panic even in such a commotion. She figured that her neighbour’s place would be a safer refuge for everyone till help arrived, so she urged everyone to move in there. Quickly gathering non-flammable dry materials from around, she put them in the room where everyone was staying and wet them, to protect all from the line of fire, reported Times Now.

“I saw everybody on the floor was panicked, frustrated and disturbed due to the fire… All of us went to our neighbouring flat in search of a safe place, where I asked them to be calm,” Zen said. “With the help of cotton, water and cloth pieces we made purifiers and handed them over to all the people in the flat,” Zen shared with the Deccan Chronicle. Zen had even asked everyone to keep the purifiers on their mouth, which stopped them from suffocating due to smoke, thereby allowing them to breathe well.

Reportedly, her knack for online research on a variety of topics had made her learn about this life-saving technique of breathing through wet cotton during a fire, which separates the carbon molecules and stops suffocation. She also suggested everyone wash their heads to panic less.

The Logical Indian take

It was because of Zen’s bravery and heroism that 13 lives were saved. The Logical Indian team applauds her efforts and presence of mind to help so many people. At the same time, we urge the authorities to take into due notice the conditions and licenses of high rise buildings to ensure that safety mechanisms are set in place to combat situations like these.

Also Read: Mumbai’s Kamala Mills Catches Fire, 14 Killed, Several Injured