Installation of additional air-conditioners in a “careless manner” might have led to the fire accident in the majestic Jubilee Hall on Sunday, investigators say. These air-conditioners were brought from the abutting Council hall in connection with the visit of UPA’s presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee.
“Without assessing actual power supply capacity, authorities could have switched on ACs from morning in addition to the existing centralised AC facility. With the sudden increase in the load, the flames could have erupted from the AC plant on the terrace,” observes a senior Fire Department official.
Thermocol, carton boxes and waste papers dumped on the terrace added fuel to the flames.
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“How can authorities be so negligent in maintaining the Jubilee Hall where VVIPs attend meetings regularly?” the official questioned. Officials of the Andhra Pradesh Fire Services Department say an inspection would be conducted on Monday to verify the efficacy of existing wiring and other electrical equipments. They said that they have already started inspecting all the government buildings in the capital after major fire accident in Mumbai Mantralaya a few days ago.
Secretariat, State Assembly and Council buildings, and Gruha Kalpa apart from High Court and Salar Jung Museum buildings will be inspected. “With the Sunday’s incident, we will also inspect Jubilee Hall shortly and submit a report about all the buildings within a week,” officials add.
Jubilee Hall was the place where seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, received ‘nazranas’ and addressed people on the occasion of silver jubilee of his reign in 1937. Today this inner courtyard is part of the State Legislative Council and the Jubilee Hall.
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