MUMBAI: Six days after a 21-storey apartment along Lokhandwala Road in Andheri caught fire; electricity supply is yet to be restored to the building, forcing residents to move out. Even as a formal inquiry is under way, caretakers report that a faulty electricity connection bypassed the building's earthing system and caused the mishap.

It was in similar circumstances some years ago that members of a seven-storey apartment in Lokhandwala's Fourth Lane had witnessed the weird phenomenon of electric current running through water taps.

Residents and domestic workers suffered shocks each time they touched the faucets. They would wrap insulation tape around the taps and use rubber slippers in the bathroom for fear of getting electrocuted. An inquiry revealed that a resident had procured an illegal electricity connection andbypassedtheearthing system, causing current to shoot back in any direction through the plumbing.

Saturday's incident at Mohid Heights showed how similar carelessness can spiral out of control. "The tenant of flat 21/3 had hired an outsider electrician to secure a private connection, and work was done in such a way that it skirted the building's earthing system. He began to renovate his house and while somebody was using a drill, the electrical overload caused notonly hishouseto go up in flames, it also made the entire circuit collapse," said caretaker Rajan Swamy.

It may takeup to a fortnight for power to be restored. "We are working to install a substation and new electricity meters," Swamy said.

"Residents beyond the third and fourth storeys have moved to other locations. Right now, though, we are not inclined to restore power in a hasty manner. We have other matterslikeNOCs andthesubstation to sort out first."

Society members and caretakers are attending parallel inquiries being conducted by the PWD as well as the supplier, RIfnra. Friday afternoon, the lobby of Mohid Heights as well as its rear compound was a mess of open cables, wires and rubble. The lift door was open, inoperable as it was. Interestingly, commercial establishments on the ground and first storeys seemed to have made independent arrangements for power supply.

BMC officials have questioned the society for not having either an occupation certificate or firefighting equipment. Swamy said they would comply with the rules.