Safety consigned to flames

Fire safety has seldom been a priority in India, and it is, unfortunately, all too common to see the damage that results from the neglect of this basic norm. Monday’s fire in Amarson Polymers factory in Ludhiana has left in its wake destruction of the five-storied building, damage to adjoining properties, and most importantly, loss of lives among the workers, and even the firemen who were sent to douse the blaze. A tragedy that mocks all our claims on good governance. 

Questions are now being raised about the appropriateness of basing an industrial unit, that too which manufactured polythene bags and polyester pouches and stored flammable chemicals, in a residential area; or the manner in which floors were added to the building. Even the manner in which the fire was tackled needs to be studied. Firemen did not, perhaps, have the requisite equipment and training to attend to what was essentially a chemical fire. Even as we laud the bravery of the firemen who went into the burning building, a thorough review is needed of their operating procedures so as to minimise casualties among them. The departments concerned must make the necessary investment in equipment and training at the earliest.

Ludhiana is no stranger to fires, and industrial units of various kinds have accounted for disproportionately high losses. Such units must have fire safety audits done regularly to prevent mishaps. Not only this, the municipal authorities must also crack down on unauthorised factories that operate in residential areas, and clean these up for people to live in. Any building, government or private, residential, commercial or industrial, should not be allowed to become a fire hazard. It may take a moment to trigger a fire, but a history of shortcomings and violations of basic safety stipulations and routines is what allows it to spread and become a menace. Safety must begin at home, and when that fails, a well-organised, well-equipped force must be available to fight the conflagration. The local administration and the state government should go beyond providing succour to the injured and the families of those who died in the fire. Politicians and officials must dedicate themselves to enforcing the much-needed simple rules and regulations of urban safety.