Neglected rooftop catches fire at multi-storey parking

LUDHIANA: Neglected vacant area on the rooftop surrounding the top (5th) floor of the multi-storey parking lot adjoining the Zone A office of the Municipal Corporation had a providential escape after wild growth, weeds and dry plants caught fire in the afternoon.

Rooftop on the fifth floor of the multi-storey parking lot where a fire broke out on Monday. Photos: Inderjeet Verrma

Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, October 16

Neglected vacant area on the rooftop surrounding the top (5th) floor of the multi-storey parking lot adjoining the Zone A office of the Municipal Corporation had a providential escape after wild growth, weeds and dry plants caught fire in the afternoon. However, with no other burning material being close to the flames, the fire died down after about half an hour.

The structure of a planned rooftop restaurant, which was never opened, and a large number of vehicles parked on various floors of the parking lot were saved from any damage. Those present in the multi-storey parking at the time when fire broke out on the rooftop said even if a small burning particle had fallen upon a vehicle, the fire could have had a devastating effect and cause immense damage to the building and vehicles.

The vacant site on the rooftop where the fire broke out today presented a picture of total neglect. Hydrants and firefighting equipment, such as hosepipes, were lying in a non-functional state. Discarded furniture was lying scattered. It was a sheer stroke of good luck that the fire did not spread and the vehicles parked there were saved from any harm, said eyewitnesses.

The parking contractor, Raju, said as soon as the fire was noticed, the attendants rushed and put out the flames with the sand buckets lying nearby. “The fire was brought under control in just about 10-15 minutes,” he said.

Both the contractor and the MC officials were not clear about who is responsible for the maintenance of the top floor. While the contractor said he had nothing to do with the maintenance of the top floor, which was planned for a rooftop restaurant, the MC officials said they would be able to say anything after going through the agreement signed with the parking contractor.

Who is responsible for the maintenance of top floor?

Both the contractor and the MC officials were not clear about who is responsible for the maintenance of the top floor. While the contractor said he had nothing to do with the maintenance of the top floor, which was planned for a rooftop restaurant, the MC officials said they would be able to say anything only after going through the agreement signed with the parking contractor.