Building fire throws light on lack of safety protocol

Garbage bins, chute at Villivakkam highrise erupt in flames, residents escape unhurt

It took over an hour and four water tankers for firefighters to put out the flames at Tower Block in Villivakkam. Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam

A fire broke out in the garbage receptacle of an apartment complex in Villivakkam on Sunday afternoon, resulting in panic amongst the residents.

It took over an hour and four water tankers for firefighters to put out the flames at Tower Block. The accident brought into focus the need for better protocols for fire safety in highrises.

According to one of the fire fighters, the fire broke out in the community garbage bin and along the garbage chute.

The main damage was to the garbage chute but there was smoke damage in every house in Block A.

Around 1 p.m., the fire service got a call saying the building was on fire. When the firefighters came in, they realised only the garbage bins and chute had caught fire.

Although they were able to contain the flames and the residents were evacuated, the accident put into the focus the lack of a fire safety protocol. Once residents realised their building was on fire, a majority of them ran up to the roof instead of trying to come downstairs, said a firefighter.

In most highrises, there is very little awareness among residents on what to do in case of an emergency.

By the time the fire and rescue services personnel reach the spot, damage can be minimised and rescue work will be easier, if residents have a system in place, said the fire safety personnel.

According to Kaushik Das, a resident of the building, “Even though there were fire extinguishers, none of them were functioning. Residents could not use them.”

Punitha Dhanapal, another resident, said there had been no training on use of fire extinguishers, nor had there been any kind of fire safety briefing for the residents.

“Even if there is an emergency, there is no siren or alert system in the building,” she said.