Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin to Comedy Nights with Kapil... Times when a fire broke out on TV sets

The recent incident of the fire on the set of Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin brought the issue to the fore once again. It isn't the first time that a TV set has been gutted. Around 2015, there were several fire incidents on TV sets. Here’s taking a look at fire incidents over the past decade...

Last month, a massive fire broke out on the set Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin. The exact reason behind it is not known, but most feel it happened because of a short circuit. Fortunately, nobody was injured, but the entire set was destroyed along with personal belongings of the cast and crew.

On February 2021, Kinshuk Mahajan and Shiny Doshi's show Pandya Store caught fire set at Film City. There were no casualties but the incident did shake up everyone.

On July 2020, a fire broke out on the set of Kumkum Bhagya in Saki Naka's Killick Nixon sets. It was probably a case of short circuit.

In October 2015, the set of the show Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi, which was being hosted by Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, caught fire. The reason behind the fire was suspected that a softie light got overheated which caused the minor fire.

Around December 2015, Powai’s Chitrarth Studio caught fire where the shooting for the TV show Jamai Raja was on. Even though that day no one was shooting, there was a monetary loss because of the fire.

The shoot of the show Tu Mera Hero was disrupted after a fire broke out on the set in September 2015. Luckily no one was injured.

In June 2015, another set which was gutted was of the show Satrangi Sasural. It was believed that a bulb burst which caused the power fluctuation. One of the chandeliers caught fire and that spread further.

RK Studios in Chembur caught fire in February 2015 The team of India Poochega Sabse Shana Kaun, which was hosted by Shah Rukh Khan, was shooting for the final episode. A generator burst leading to the fire. The set was vacated instantly and there were no casualties.

In October 2014 another set which experienced a fire scare was that of show Yeh Hai Mohabbatein. At that time, the fire engines were rushed to the spot and everyone was safe.

On the set of the comedy show F.I.R, there was fire in December 2013. But with the help of fire extinguishers which were available on the set, the cast and crew came together and took control of the situation.

On September 2013 morning, a major fire broke out on the set of Comedy Nights with Kapil at Film City. Four fire engines, five tankers and an ambulance were rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. There were no casualties.

In an earlier interview with us, producer J D Majethia, who is the chairman of Indian Film and Television Producers Council, says, "There are guidelines regarding licences and approvals before starting to shoot on a set. These norms are adhered to by all producers. We have to keep fire extinguishers on the sets and also ensure that they are renewed every year."

The problem, makers say, is that the sets are largely made of wood and other such materials which catch fire quickly and spread rapidly. "Sometimes it's human error or could be because of an open wire, which may have caught fire due to a short circuit, and then it's difficult to find out what really went wrong. On the sets, there are boards which say smoking is prohibited, but if anyone smokes in the green room, one wouldn't know, said JD.

One solution to this is upgrading the available resources. "We need to get lights that do not require too many wires because open wires are risky. As an industry, we need to look at more options which can make our sets safer. This has to be a collective responsibility - from the producer to the entire unit - as one error can put everyone in danger," said JD Majethia.