Fire Dept fails to act against management: Mohali SDM

Sanjay Bumbroo
Tribune News Service
Mohali, March 17

The inquiry report of Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Jagdeep Sehgal has held officials of the Fire Department responsible for not taking punitive action against the management of Vishal Mega Mart for ignoring the notices sent to them earlier.

The building had no fire extinguisher and no hose reels installed. A smoke detection alarm system was also not in place, there were no illuminated exit signs or smoke check doors and no fire control room or fire lifts with firemen switch, the report stated.

Sehgal said despite several notices issued to the management, officials of the Fire Department had failed to recheck whether the management had made the firefighting system in the multi-brand showroom operational, which could have averted the major fire that broke out on February 29.

The SDM said the Sub Divisional Engineer (B), Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), in his report had mentioned that the building had been constructed as per the building map, but the allottee had constructed a wall inside the shutter on the rear side of the building. Besides, the ventilator in the basement had been closed down, which was a clear violation of the building bylaws.

He further said the management of Vishal Mega Mart had kept the items on stairs to the basement, which had created hindrance in the movement of the firefighting officials. He said the wall on the rear side of the showroom had to be demolished with the help of a JCB machine. Only after that the firemen entered the building.

The report had further mentioned acute shortage of staff in the Fire Department and recommended that its manpower be increased and modern fire equipment be procured. The Fire Department has only five drivers for 12 fire tenders. Also, there are only 11 firefighters employed against the 80 sanctioned posts. Had there been another fire in the city, the situation would have turned worse, the report said.

Officiating Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain said strict action would be taken against the management of Vishal Mega Mart as per the law. She said they would write to the government for recruiting staff in the Fire Department.