Chandigarh: Frequent fire incidents in the city’s commercial hubs have prompted the Municipal Corporation (MC) to launch a comprehensive inspection of commercial buildings. Following these emergencies, the Fire and Emergency Services Department has initiated a city-wide safety drive, with all station fire officers directed to submit detailed reports to senior officials in their respective jurisdictions. Concerned officers are tasked with conducting field surveys and issuing necessary advisories or notices to errant owners and occupiers under existing safety regulations.Notably, many commercial property owners have started approaching the fire department’s specialised branch for expert advice on installing required safety equipment. While Chandigarh’s seven fire stations, each led by an SFO, have not been given a rigid deadline, sources indicate that reports must be submitted as early as possible. Officials acknowledge that inspections may take longer in congested zones like Manimajra, Ram Darbar, Industrial Area, and Sector 32. Nevertheless, firemen are instructed to evaluate all structures strictly according to the norms of the city’s Fire Act.The urgency follows two major recent blazes, including a significant fire in Sector 22 where the building was subsequently declared unsafe due to structural cracks on the second floor. Another major fire in Industrial Area Phase II resulted in the total loss of commercial goods. Consequently, the MC is prioritising these inspections to ensure compliance and prevent further damage to property or risk to life. The department remains focused on identifying vulnerabilities in high-risk zones to bolster the city’s overall emergency preparedness and fire safety standards.MSID:: 129849964 413 |
