Bhubaneswar: The devastating fire at a restaurant-cum-hotel building in Delhi, which claimed 21 lives, has raised concerns over fire safety measures in restaurants and eateries across twin cities.Fire safety experts warn that the twin cities could be vulnerable to a similar disaster if compliance norms are not strictly enforced.According to data available from food aggregators, more than 1,400 restaurants and eateries are currently operating across the twin cities, with the highest concentration of restaurants located in Bhubaneswar’s Patia, Chandrasekharpur, Saheed Nagar and Nayapalli, while in Cuttack, major food hubs include Buxi Bazar, College Square, Cantonment Road and CDA Sector areas.Fire safety experts estimate that nearly 90% of these establishments do not possess adequate fire safety infrastructure or mandatory clearances, particularly smaller restaurants, cafes and rooftop dining facilities operating in commercial buildings.“The Delhi incident should serve as a warning. Many restaurants in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack operate in congested commercial structures with a single staircase, limited ventilation and inadequate firefighting equipment. In case of a major fire, evacuation becomes extremely difficult,” fire safety expert Chandra Mohan Routray said.Routray added, “We have pointed out that kitchens using LPG cylinders, tandoors, deep fryers and high-capacity electrical equipment are particularly vulnerable. Poor maintenance of electrical wiring and absence of smoke detection systems further increase the risk.”“Most restaurant owners focus on interiors and seating capacity but overlook emergency exits, smoke alarms and staff training. Fire extinguishers are often found either expired or inaccessible during emergencies,” former fire officer Prasanna Kumar Das said.Officials of Odisha fire and emergency service (OFES) said commercial establishments are required to follow prescribed safety norms, including installation of fire extinguishers, emergency exits and periodic safety audits. However, enforcement remains a challenge due to the sheer number of establishments operating across the two cities.“Regular inspections, mock drills and strict action against violators are essential. Fire safety should not begin only after a tragedy takes place, the authorities must act promptly to tackle such situations,” urban town planner Prashil Pazare said.With restaurants witnessing heavy footfall during weekends and festive seasons, experts have urged authorities to conduct a comprehensive fire safety audit of eateries across the twin cities to prevent a Delhi-like tragedy in Odisha.“Every restaurant must have basic fire safety measures such as fire extinguishers, emergency exits, proper electrical systems and trained staff to respond during emergencies,” Sudhanshu Sarangi, director general (OFES), said.“We have conducted fire safety audits of restaurants operating within hotels and larger commercial establishments in the twin cities. However, standalone small restaurants and eateries do not presently fall under the mandatory fire safety ambit, limiting our enforcement powers,” Sarangi said, adding, “Nevertheless, we continue to raise awareness and encourage all restaurant owners to voluntarily adopt essential fire safety practices to protect lives and property.”
