Another fire tragedy in Kolkata

In the majority of times, these kind of cases occur because of carelessness of people in the building and not having proper preventions to tackle with these problems. Lack of preventive infrastructure and proper preventions causes this kinds of accidents so, these things should be taken care of. Also, in each floor, proper emergency exists (more than two) should be there so that in kind of any such incidents at least loss of lives doesn't occur.

This fire or for that matter other similar accidents are a direct result of long drawn process and this is easy to identify as SHORT CUT BY PEOPLE in hurry.

Take me to audit a facility and we may be able to give a long list in each yet the pertinent question is are there any takers? The answer is we are only interested in making money, the fastest and at whatever cost and therefore shortcuts are an easy available option. This applies to ALL segments classes and levels of authority and is more deadly to a nation than cancer to a human yet we refuse to wake up.

Let me share with an example:

Who is an expert electrician to most managers in India?  

One who dares climb up  a wet electricity pole on a rainy day and connect the wires LIVE, without asking for insulated gloves, insulated step ladder, insulated pliers and need not have gone on to care about electricity hazards ....so on.

Have you heard "Darey ga to kaam kaise karey ga."

If this is the parameter to judge who is would like to take the responsible.

We need to do this constantly or this chalta hain lethargic attitude we have adopted has to stop, if it does not these things will keep on happening again and again and it will be on a larger scale as our callousness grows

Like I mentioned earler during the 26/11 happenings, the media insted of showing the same gory footing againa again, should contribute more creatively. 

As soon I saw the news of the start of the fire at about 2.15 P.M, what came to mind was the need for immediate evacuation of all inhabitants from that building and the nearby ones. It was disappointing to see that none of the media guys were seriously making effort to mobilize the people in the begining stage itself for an effective evacuation procedure instead of running around with the camera. 

The media persons, being intelligent and better informed and  having the best communication network, they should initiate some action to coordinate for the immediate needs and possible action plan with the local authorities. That will be best service that can be done by them instead of showing same gory sights hundred times over the media.  

There is no point in blaming the authorities for everything. However, there was not even a municipal siren sounded to alert the people inside the building.

I remember of my young days, there use to be a municipal siren which we could hear from any where in the town if there is any fire incident or other calamities. We use run out of our home looking to find at which area the smoke is seen. At least the authorities everywhere can provide a networked siren alarm system in major cities. Like I mentioned about the Bangalore fire, every apartment should keep a rope ladder which would come handy to escape for many through the window of low raise buildings of 5 floor and less.

in big bulidings to accodents like fire we check the  safety fire instruments once a month. if accidents happens so we can reduce the loss and we save life of people also. also put imergancy doors to exit.

So many rules / fire safety rules were brokren by the present owner-cum builder of Stephens Corurt - the building which caught fire in Kolkata.

The occupants never questioned the builder about prevailing safety measures. Apart from flat owners, so many offices were there - Owners / Managers of such cos did not bother to know. It is now learnt that one roof of a floor was not made of concreates but was made of wood .... !! The buildibg was turned into a "fire-house" day by day.

But what was the attraction of the building ? It was ideally situated in a commercial area of Kolkata, all facilities just nearby - so why should anybody bother ? Otherwise ... there remain plenty of good planned buildings in SaltLake and Rajarhat ... but that is a bit away from the old Kolkata city .

It is the high time that we be aware. The culprits should be punished and at the same time we learn a lesson ... !!

There can be many reason for the disaster. We can only prevent the disaster which are in our control. Some of the disaster as Earthquake, Cyclone, Floods or even Fire if it happens due to some small mistake, can not be preventable. The technical department or NGOs should educate people about thier action in case of the disaster so that the minimum casuality should take place. In case of fire most of the deaths happen due to smoke inhailing, if people know how to act then the deaths can be minimised.

The fire disasters have become a common thing in India, of late. The matropolitan cities are more vulnerable to fire disasters due to congestion. Most of the cities in India are unplanned, congested and fire hazards are seldom thought of. In case of fire, we have seen time and again, even it becomes difficult for the fire brigade staff  and fire tenders to reach the spot quickly. To overcome these hazards, we need to first of all, educate the people regarding these hazards and also train the people in fire fighting initially when fire is noticed. Secondly, all the offices, shops and establishments should compulsorily keep  portable fire extinguishers in working condition so that, the moment a fire is noticed, people can try to extinguish before it spreads further.  I have not seen portable fire extinguishers even in sophisticated offices also. The Govt. should strongly make these things mandatory for all establishments. The Insurance companies also should not entertain any claim unless they produce the proof of having maintained sufficient fire extinguishers commensurate with the size of the establishment.

   While allotting space for new market place, office buildings, colonies etc., it should be ensured by the allotting authorities that a clear cut lay out plan is submitted which shows that sufficient space is mandatorily left out for access of fire tenders in case of fire hazards. This is not being done till now and, as a result, even the new townships and office buildings and markets are growing rapidly without any care for disaster management.

People must leave the habbit of breaking / disobeying rules and the autorities must learn to have a fullproof DISASTER MANAGMENT . Except this they must leave / sacrifice personnel intrest and implment the rules in appropriate manner . Only these things can help to stop such tragedies.

A Large majority of fire tragedies are mainly becuase these buildings and the buildings in the neighbourhood have been constructed voilating building bye laws. In metros where coverage of 25-50% and FSI of 2.75 maximum depending upon the front  Road width is allowed people have constructed buildings with a coverage of 100% and FSI of even up to 4.5. In addition proper fire escapes and fire fighting facility are not provided. Of course greedy and corrupt officials, builders and Politicians are responsible for such situations on one side and the population explosion is anther reason, which creates increasing demand for accomodations.