18 hrs ago
Fire Department Flags Six Lapses at Trinamool Congress Office
Fire officials inspected offices used by the Trinamool Congress in a building on Camac Street, Kolkata.
They said they found six possible fire-safety problems.
The building’s safety certificate had expired on August 10.
Officials said some firefighting equipment and water systems were not properly arranged or working.
They also raised concerns about emergency exits and the storage of LPG cylinders.
A structure may have made it harder for fire engines to reach the building.
The reports differ over whether the offices were on the sixth and seventh or seventh and eighth floors.
The owner and occupier have 48 hours to explain and provide documents.
Officials will then decide whether more action, including sealing the floors, is needed.
The Bengal Fire and Emergency Services Department issued a showcause notice citing six alleged fire-safety lapses at offices linked to the All India Trinamool Congress.
The premises’ fire-safety certificate expired on August 10 and officials directed the owner to renew it.
Officials reported inadequate firefighting water, improperly arranged pumps, and a non-functional or inadequate alarm system.
The notice cited evacuation concerns, including limited access and no designated emergency fire exit, while also flagging stored LPG cylinders and a structure obstructing fire-appliance movement.
The owner and occupier or tenant must appear with documents and respond within 48 hours before authorities decide whether further action, including sealing the premises, is warranted.
- Who
- The Bengal Fire and Emergency Services Department, Kolkata Police, the building owner, the occupier or tenant, and offices linked to the All India Trinamool Congress.
- What
- Officials issued a showcause notice alleging six fire-safety lapses and seeking a written response within 48 hours.
- Where
- The building at 9 Camac Street in Kolkata; the reports variously identify the affected offices as occupying the sixth and seventh or seventh and eighth floors.
- When
- The inspection took place on Monday and the notice was issued on Tuesday; the fire-safety certificate expired on August 10.
- Why
- The inspection followed a confrontation during a civic operation to remove an allegedly unauthorised billboard and formed part of an ongoing fire-safety and building-compliance audit.
Key facts
- Alleged lapses
- The department cited six fire-safety deficiencies.
- Certificate
- The premises’ fire-safety certificate expired on August 10 and had not been renewed.
- Firefighting systems
- Officials cited inadequate water on the seventh floor, improperly arranged pumps, and a deficient or non-functional alarm system.
- Evacuation
- Officials reported limited access from the office to the internal corridor and cited concerns about emergency exits.
- Additional hazards
- Several LPG cylinders were reportedly stored in a kitchen or cafeteria area without appearing in the approved plan.
- Access obstruction
- A mild-steel structure with corrugated-sheet roofing allegedly encroached on the driveway and obstructed fire-appliance movement.
- Deadline and possible action
- The owner and occupier or tenant were given 48 hours to appear with documents and explain why the premises should not be sealed.
- Legal provisions
- Officials referred to Section 37A of the relevant fire-safety law and an alleged violation of Section 11C of the West Bengal Fire Services Act, 1950.
Quotes
Senior Fire and Emergency Services Department official
A senior official of West Bengal’s Fire and Emergency Services Department
“Several nos. of LPG cylinders found stored at the 7th floor Kitchen/Cafeteria area which was not shown in approved plan thus increasing the fire load of the occupancy and compromising life & fire safety of the occupants,”
telegraphindia.com
“The fire alarm and detection system on the sixth and seventh floors was found inadequate and non-functional”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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