Notices Issued to B’luru High Rises to Enact Fire Safety Measures

Kamala Mills fire tragedy in Mumbai has intensified the outcry by residents against illegal rooftop pubs and bars

Bengaluru fire department’s orders come in the light of a recent fire tragedy in Mumbai. 

(Photo: ANI)

A day after 14 people were killed in Mumbai’s Kamala Mill fire tragedy, senior fire department officials ordered inspections of high-rise buildings in Bengaluru, and MN Reddi, DGP of Police, Department of Fire and Emergency services on Saturday found a number of pubs to be “illegal” and without any fire NOCs. He provided a list of the pubs found to be in violation, including well-known venues, which now have 15 days to implement the measures or face closure.

Fire officers in Bengaluru had been asked to check and report any unauthorised high-rise buildings with terrace pubs and restaurants ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations.

A day earlier, Reddi had tweeted that Fire officers would check unauthorised high rises with pubs and restaurants for compliance with fire safety measures.

Hours after Reddi tweeted about his instructions to conduct inspections, several citizens responded to him with information about alleged violations in some buildings in the city.

Resident Complain Against Illegal Buildings

The Kamala Mills fire tragedy in Mumbai has intensified the outcry by residents of several posh localities in Bengaluru against mushrooming rooftop pubs and bars. The citizens have been pressing the administration to act against the commercial activities, especially the pubs, bars and restaurants, in residential areas.

On Friday, Indira Nagar residents gave a representation to Additional Commissioner of Police (East Bengaluru), Seemanth Kumar Singh, seeking direction to not allow any commercial activity in residential areas.

Avoid Rooftop Parties: Fire Department

KU Ramesh, Director of Department of Fire and Emergency Services, said that the department has asked event organisers in the city to avoid New Year’s Eve parties on rooftops. “We have asked the police to convey the information to those approaching police for permission for parties. In Bengaluru, you find many hotels that are more than 50 meters in height. In case of an emergency, evacuating people from the rooftops of such buildings is a tough task,” he said.

Ramesh said that fire tenders will been deployed in multiple locations on MG Road and Brigade Road, were revelers will gather in large numbers on New Year’s Eve. The entire fire force in the city will be deployed in vital points across the city, to address any emergencies, he added.

(With Inputs from PTI)