Govt feels no heat despite rising factory fires

Harshraj Singh
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, June 8

Factory fires account for about 70% fire incidents reported in the city every year. Despite so many fire incidents, no fire safety audit of factories has been carried out, raising questions over the role of the authorities concerned.

According to sources, around 2% industrial, commercial, educational and other institutions in the city have obtained the fire safety certificate. No fresh survey has been carried out to know the actual number of violators.

After the collapse of a plastic factory after fire in 2017, in which 16 persons, including nine firefighters, were killed, a survey was started to check violations of fire-safety norms last year. However, it was stalled later.

A number of fire incidents have occurred in industrial areas this summer. A major fire broke out at a knitwear firm in Seerha village on Rahon Road on Thursday night. Half the building collapsed as the firefighters fought the intense blaze. The fire was put out after a struggle of 17 hours. In the absence of necessary safety gear, equipment and hydraulic ladders, the firemen are forced to risk their lives while fighting major fires.

There are many hosiery units located in narrow streets where fire engines can’t move. A majority of factories in these congested areas don’t have fire-safety arrangements in place. Many factories have kept a huge amount of chemicals in godowns in violation of norms.

‘Fix the responsibility of MC officials’

An advocate, Gaganpreet Singh, said: “The government should order inspection of fire-safety arrangements at all factories, godowns, educational institutes, commercial complexes and public places. There is a need to strictly deal with the violators to prevent any major mishap in the future.” “As Ludhiana is an industrial hub, there is a need to strengthen the fire wing that faces a shortage of necessary equipment. While short-circuit is blamed for a majority of incidents, violations in the factories and other buildings are ignored.

“The government should fix the responsibility of MC officials to ensure implementation of the building bylaws. Punjab State Power Corporation Limited should also be directed to fix dangling and naked wires criss-crossing the city,” said Satinder Singh, a resident.

Fire Act will come in handy: Officer

Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Bhupinder Singh said the state government was working to bring about Fire Act. He said around 70% fire incidents took place in factories here. Once the Act is passed and implemented, the fire wing would be able to carry out fire-safety audits in factories and other buildings and initiate action against violators, he said.

Fire brigade still waiting for equipment

The fire wing of Ludhiana had earlier asked the government to provide it with imported fireproof suits and other safety gear such as breathing apparatus sets, hazmat vans, advanced rescue vans, new fire engines, aerial ladder platforms, etc. A majority of the equipment have not been provided to the fire wing for a long time. There is also a need to set up more fire stations in the city as well as rural areas of the district.