Mumbai tragedy: Fire staff remain on toes

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 31

Keeping in view a major fire incident in a Mumbai building which claimed 14 lives recently, the fire and emergency services wing of Chandigarh, for the first time on New Year’s Eve, cancelled leaves of all staff and made around nine temporary fire stations outside hotels, discotheques and clubs. This practice is otherwise only adopted during Diwali.   

Fire engines were deployed outside several party places, including Chandigarh Club, Golf Club, Elante mall, Sector 26 Madhya Marg, Aroma hotel in Sector 22 and Sector 35-43 hotel/disco area. Other than these temporary fire help stations, all seven fire stations will be on alert.

“In the light of Mumbai fire, for the first time, we have made Diwali-like arrangements on New Year’s Eve with fire engines having deployed at eight or nine temporary stations. All staff will be on duty. If there is any fire incident, flames can be doused at the initial stage. We will also remain connected with the Police Control Room (PCR),” ML Sharma, Station Fire Officer, told Chandigarh Tribune.

Meanwhile, the department also conducted a random check at some hotels and clubs to check fire station arrangements in the city ahead of New Year bashes where a large number of people would gather at midnight. 

“Though, all such places have NOCs from the Fire Department, as without these they cannot take occupation of the area, we did a random check and found fire safety measures in place. Still, we will remain alert to extend help in case of any fire emergency,” added Sharma.

In Mumbai, the Municipal Commissioner had suspended five officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for various fire safety violations in the building where the fire broke out.