SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: National Fire Services week is observed from April 14, every year across the country and this year’s the theme of celebration is ‘Learn Fire Safety Increase Positivity’. During the week-long programs, the department is trying to educate people regarding fire safety measures, but the first three months of 2022 proved quite tough for the people of Srinagar and Fire & Emergency Department. The drastic rise in fire incidents across Srinagar district has put firefighters on tenterhooks round the clock. The losses in recent fire incidents in Nigeen Lake and Batamaloo area could had been easily minimised, if firefighting infrastructure across Srinagar could have been be improved.
During first three months of 2022, 146 fire incidents were reported in city. In January, 43 fire incidents occurred in which 21 houses, 9 shops, 1 shopping complex, 2 ordinary sheds, a vehicle and 6 electric transformers gutted. In February, 49 incidents were reported in which 14 houses, 2 buildings, 2 shops, 3 shopping complexes, 6 electric transformers got damaged while in March, 54 incidents were with 58 houses, 1 building, 2 shops, 6 shopping complexes, 2 vehicles, 4 electric transformers and 18 other structures getting damaged. While speaking over fire safety measures, Deputy Director, Fire & Emergency Department Bashir Ahmad Shah said, “We can’t relate fire incident to some specific season. We are in summers now and people have minimised usage of electronic gadgets, so it is surprising to see rising fire mishaps. There is no hard and fast reason in such incidents. However, people should take preventive measures and there should be no compromise or negligence in it.” According to officer, the fault lies with concerned agencies who issue permissions without inspecting safety measures. A commercial establishment should not be allowed to operate unless it gets necessary NoC from all departments including Fire & Emergency Department. “Fire occurred in hospital could have controlled at a right time however due to no safety measures in place, it spread fast and engulfed entire structure. However, there are many hospitals in city where fire-fighting system is in place and many are working on it. If a hospital puts such mechanism in place, it costs only Rs 40 to 50 lakhs. There have been no formal deliberations so far. But we are acting in our personal capacity and intimating others to ensure fire safety measures,” he said, adding, “People are constructing modified three-story houses and spending millions. What is wrong if they spend few thousands more on installation of fire extinguishers? This will provide them security as well. In unplanned colonies people should at least take utmost care to give no chance to fire,” he added. “Department have identified 92 locations across J&K which have already been submitted to Government for establishing fire stations. The department has done his job and now it needs sanctions from Government,” he added.