Make in India stage goes up in fire

A major fire engulfed the stage of the cultural extravaganza of the Make in India week event at the historic Girgaum Chowpatty off Marine Drive in south Mumbai on Sunday evening.

However, there were no injuries or casualties at the event showcasing the culture of Mumbai and Maharashtra, off the Arabian Sea. The who’s who of Mumbai and corporate world, besides international guests, were present when the fire broke out.
 The fire would not have any bearing on the other events at the MMRDA Grounds at the Bandra-Kurla Complex here.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the event. Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, actors Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Vivek Oberoi, Isha Koppikar and Katrina Kaif were present at the ­event when the fire broke out.

The stage was designed by popular set designer Nitin Desai. The function was to end with a laser show and firework display.

“It’s an unfortunate incident but we are fortunate that there are no casualties or injuries,” Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, told reporters.

The event started around 7 pm and was to end around 10 pm. The fire started at 8:17 pm from below the stage when a Lavni dance performance was on. The fire spread rapidly because of the wooden stage, cotton and breeze from the seaside.

It was controlled only at 9:20 pm. A possible shortcircuit caused the fire.

Chief Minister Fadnavis said a “competent official” would carry out a “comprehensive probe