Mohali SDM to inquire into Vishal Mega Mart fire incident

Tribune News Service

Mohali, March 2

The Mohali Officiating Deputy Commissioner today directed the local SDM to conduct a fact-finding inquiry into the fire incident that took place out at Vishal Mega Mart, Phase 5, here recently.

Besides, the Additional Chief Administrator of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has been asked to conduct technical examination of the building and submit the report by Wednesday evening.

Mohali Officiating Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain said SDM Jagdeep Sehgal would conduct the fact-finding inquiry. “He has been given a week-time to submit the report while the technical examination of the building would be conducted by the Additional Chief Administrator, GMADA. The next course of action would be decided on basis of reports of both inquiries,” said Jain.

He said the showroom housing the departmental store was again inspected by the fire officials today as smoke was still emanating from the basement and the ground floor of the premises where a fire was broke out on Saturday morning.

As smoke was still emanating from the premises, the local administration stationed fire tenders at the spot for the entire day. Due to high temperature after the fire, major cracks in walls, floors and roofs of the basement and the ground floor of the premises are said to have developed.

“We are not allowing anybody except fire officials to enter the premises. Now the GMADA officials would inspect the premises and give their report only after that we would decide our action”, said Jain.

It is to be noted that the fire was controlled after almost 18 hours of its start on Saturday morning. The administration had to summon Indian Air Force and National Disaster Response Force to participate in firefighting operation. More than 30 fire tenders had made over 100 rounds to bring the fire under control.