10 fires in city every day

Rapid urbanisation, negligence said to be the reasons behind 920 fire incidents that have occurred this year ufffd almost double compared to the corresponding period in 2010

10 fires in city every day

Rapid urbanisation, negligence said to be the reasons behind 920 fire incidents that have occurred this year ufffd almost double compared to the corresponding period in 2010

With the fire at a lamp showroom near Nanjappa Circle taking the number of incidents to 920 between January and April 2011, statistics show that fire incidents have doubled as compared to the same time last year.

B G Chengappa, director of Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services (KSFES) said, "The number of calls regarding fires is almost double of what we received last year. Negligence and urbanisation are the main causes for this surge in fire related incidents. Also, the soaring temperature adds to the number of incidents."

He added that building owners seldom make use of the drills offered by the fire department, thereby exposing themselves to more chances of fire outbreaks. While in 2010, the fire department would receive around 6 calls a day, this year has so far seen close to 15 calls a day.

Yesterday's fire
Around 3.30 pm, a fire broke out on the first floor of Chandra Hardware near Nanjappa Circle due to a short-circuit. The owner, Vikas Goel, informed that the showroom was scheduled to be inaugurated next month. He said that almost 80 per cent goods were gutted.

No casualty was reported though 12 workers were present at the spot. Ten fire engines were pressed into service and almost 50 fire fighters combated the fire.

"We were in the ground floor storeroom when we saw smoke billowing from above. We ran out and informed the owner," said a staff of the showroom.

Chengappa informed that the fire was not a major one, but had spread because of plywood planks, thermocol sheets and paper curtains kept in the showroom. However, he informed that the state department needed more resources to handle such frequent outbreaks.

Need more stations
Presently, the city has 13 stations and six more are under construction. However, the department needs about 59 stations, considering the city's growing population.

Last month, the department submitted Current Fire Hazard Response and Mitigation Plan for the city to the urban development committee and is awaiting the Central government's nod. The proposal also requests for more vehicles, hydraulic ladders and 10 mist technology motorcycles.

"We need lands near a main road for fire stations. But procuring land is a long process, as we have to depend on BBMP, BDA and so on. We have to pay money for it though it is for the community. So, there is also a concern about budget," said B K Hampa Gol, deputy director, technical director KSFES.

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