While initial indications are that the fire at the footwear godown near the South Railway Station was triggered by an explosion in the panel board of the portable power generator that was being operated in the building, District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla has sought a detailed enquiry report from the Fire and Rescue Services on what led to the incident.
“Our effort was to ensure the safety of people, not just in that building, but in nearby buildings as well. So, we quickly evacuated people in this and neighbouring buildings. Thanks to the effort, not only that there were not casualties, none was injured either. Besides mobilising fire tenders from our district, we also requisitioned fire tenders from the neighbouring Kottayam district. Fire tenders were also mobilised from the Cochin Port Trust, BPCL, Cochin Shipyard and the Navy. Considering that the godown had stocked rubber products, water wasn’t enough to douse the raging flames. This required use of a mix of water and foam which we did and were able to contain it. It was a combined effort that made it possible,” Mr. Safirulla told The Hindu .
Fire and Rescue Services personnel would inspect the building, conduct a detailed probe, and submit a report, he added.
Corpn. probe
The Superintending Engineer of the Kochi Corporation will probe the fire outbreak at the footwear godown. The official will check whether any illegal structural changes were carried out in the building. The official has also been asked to check whether any unauthorised construction was carried out in the building after the civic body issued the occupancy certificate for the structure.
The decision was announced by Mayor Soumini Jain in the Kochi Corporation council meeting held a few hours after the incident.
Walkout
Unsatisfied with the Mayor's decision, LDF councillors shouted slogans against her and walked out of the meeting. They demanded a comprehensive inquiry into the incident by involving the State government.
