For many workers of small hotels, bars and restaurants in the city, the place of their work is also their residence.
For the five men, this turned fatal; but for many thousands continuing this, a similar blaze is a real threat.
Fire and Emergency Services Department officials are categorical when they say this practice is not safe.
“In bars there is liquor, which is highly inflammable, and it is not advised for people to sleep there. Even in hotels, there will be LPG cylinders that pose a great fire safety risk,” said K.U. Ramesh, Director, Fire and Emergency Services Department.
Chandrashekhar Hebbar, president, Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels Association, said that employees sleeping in the hotels was a rampant practice and has proved tough to stop.
“Most hotel employees are migrants and bachelors for whom finding a budget house on rent is difficult. Hoteliers give accommodation but make no separate rooms, as hotels are now being started in even 100 sqft space,” he said.
He said that in the trade licence given by BBMP, a condition must be laid ensuring that accommodation for hotel staff must be in a separate room in the same premises or must provide accomodation elsewhere.
