High-rises without fire safety? Cops to file FIR

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: In light of a series of unfortunate fire accidents in the city, the Director General of Police, Fire & Emergency Services, Kamal Pant, has ordered the fire officials to ramp up efforts to prevent such incidents.

The official has also asked the cops to inspect high-rise buildings in the city for their fire safety preparedness. The fire accidents have been raising concerns about fire safety in Bengaluru, prompting authorities to take action.

The recent tragedies include a fire at a firecracker godown in Attibele, resulting in the tragic loss of 17 lives. Additionally, an Agarbatti factory fire in Vijayanagar led to the burning of eight bikes and left one person injured.

Another fire incident occurred in Kengeri following which a massive fire broke out at a cafe in Koramangala on Wednesday. The blaze completely consumed the restaurant and extended to other parts of the four-storey building.

A young man sustained severe injuries as he had to jump from the building to escape the inferno. As per the sources, the inspections aim to ensure that precautionary measures are in place and that the safety of the public is not compromised.

Fire officials are ready to review emergency rescue procedures and ensure that adequate safeguards are implemented at restaurants, residential apartments and high-rise buildings here.

The DGP has directed officials to inspect all areas of Bengaluru and submit a detailed report. If any hotel, restaurant, or pub is found to be lacking the necessary fire safety measures, the station officials have been instructed to file an FIR with the jurisdictional police station.

Kamal Pant, in his order, has emphasized the importance of checking the most crowded buildings, hotels, and restaurants here.