Forensic and electricity officials on Thursday inspected S.M. Street where a three-storey building caught fire on Wednesday. Samples were collected from the site with the support of officers from the Fire and Rescue Services Department.
Forensic team collected samples from the spot to check whether there was any sabotage attempt. Officials from the Electrical Inspectorate tried to verify reports that poor-quality electrification had caused the fire. However, traders pointed out that the wiring in the gutted building was new compared to other buildings.
Police sources said the cause of the fire could be ascertained only on the basis of forensic analysis. It would take a few months, they added.
Fire officials said the practice of using cylinders to power generators in the congested street was highly unsafe. Officials who inspected the site said the impact of the fire would have been severe if such LPG cylinders kept at the building had exploded during the fire breakout.
A senior officer of the Fire and Rescue Services Department said traders had been warned of the unhealthy practice. “We check the generator area while granting No Objection Certificate to buildings. Most of the building owners make alterations after securing NOC,” he said.
Security audit
As part of a quick security audit, a special squad comprising Deputy Collector B. Abdul Nasar, Divisional Fire Officer Arun Bhasker and District Supply Officer visited various shops on S.M. Street on Thursday. The officials said they would submit a field report to the District Collector on February 25.
Meanwhile, Kerala Vypari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti (KVVES) leaders alleged that it was the lack of facilities with the Fire and Rescue Services Department that doubled the impact of the fire breakout. An exclusive water pipeline from Mananchira to power fire hydrants on S.M. Street was still a pending project, they said.
Ashraf Moothedath, an office-bearer of KVVES, said there was a ₹2.5-crore proposal to implement the pipeline project. “There is no point in arguing that traders are mainly responsible for fire accidents,” he said.
