Days after a massive fire gutted the ground floor of a commercial-residential building in Laxmi Nagar’s Aath Rasta Chowk, senior officials from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) visited the site to investigate potential unauthorized constructions and fire safety violations. A structural audit has been initiated to assess the building’s stability before residents are allowed to reoccupy it.
The building, developed by builder Akshit Naik, comprises 10 floors, including four commercial levels. The ground and basement floors were reportedly purchased by a different owner and later leased to Reliance Fresh Mart, which occupied the premises at the time of the fire. Officials are now examining whether the commercial activities on these floors complied with approved building plans and fire safety regulations.
Additional Commissioner Vaishnavi B and Deputy Commissioner Milind Meshram, also holding additional charge as assistant commissioner of the Laxmi Nagar zone, conducted a detailed site inspection. They interacted with residents and fire department personnel, focusing on encroachments in the basement and parking areas, which are believed to be the origin point of the blaze.
Vaishnavi B confirmed that officials have collected the original building layout and occupancy details from the builder and housing society. “We have asked the local engineer to verify whether the present structure matches the approved design,” she said. Meshram added that the inquiry will follow Supreme Court guidelines on unauthorized constructions, and any deviations will be acted upon after comparing approved plans with the actual site conditions.
Preliminary findings suggest that alterations in the basement and ground floor, including an underground godown and vegetable storage area, may have been unauthorized. Residents reported that these modifications blocked fire exits, hampering rescue operations during the blaze, which lasted nearly 10 hours. Fire officials also highlighted malfunctioning sprinklers and blocked escape routes, which exacerbated the situation.
Given the prolonged exposure to extreme heat, civic engineers have emphasized the need for a comprehensive structural audit. The review will assess the condition of load-bearing columns, beams, and slabs to ensure the safety of the 24 flats and 18 families residing above the affected floors. “Concrete and steel lose strength when subjected to sustained heat. A detailed audit is essential before certifying the structure's stability,” said a senior structural engineer.
The audit report, combined with the fire safety compliance review, will determine further action, which may include repair directives, sealing of unsafe sections, cancellation of occupancy certificates, or prosecution of those responsible for violations.
Experts note that incidents like the Laxmi Nagar fire underscore the importance of strict enforcement of building codes and fire safety norms, particularly in mixed-use developments. Unauthorized alterations and non-functional safety systems continue to pose risks in rapidly urbanizing areas.
Authorities have assured residents and the public that safety remains the top priority, and all necessary measures will be taken to prevent recurrence of similar incidents. The ongoing inquiry and structural audit will not only evaluate the immediate safety of the building but could also influence future enforcement practices in Nagpur’s commercial-residential zones.
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