Hyderabad, October 29: A Day after the major fire broke out in Abhishek Car Decors on Minister’s Road, the AP Fire Services Department is now trying to identifying unauthorized shops and establishments operating from residential buildings.
P Deendayal, District Fire Officer (DFO) told ‘Expresso’ that the Fire Services Department will be writing to officials of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Central Power Distribution Company Limited (CPDCL) and Police Departments seeking their assistance in identifying such shops which are located in residential complexes.
Officials said that numerous trade companies, small and medium, are operating from residential complexes, illegally. “Anyone who wants to start small business, such as provision stores, have to take approval from the Fire Department.
Before we approve the applications for commercial aspect, we thoroughly scan the complexes and ask them to install sprinklers, detective system and first aid kits at the complex as per Andhra Pradesh Fire Safety Act,” Deendayal said.
“We will take stern action against persons who are violating the norms and posing danger to the public in the process,” he said.
He said that the Fire Department has been receiving several complaints from the people in this regard.
A few complaints were received from the public as the cellars in the residential buildings are being utilised for commercial purposes.
“The Fire Department will treat these business activities as illegal and we will take action against those traders as per Fire Department Act,” he says.
He said that the complexes built with a height of 6 metres and in 500 square meters will come under the Fire Department’s jurisdiction while GHMC will handle those complexes above 6 metres and 500 square meters, both commercial and residential. As per initial drive, we want to concentrate on big shopping malls, nursing homes, corporates, bar and restaurants and hotels with the assistance of GHMC and police to identify and take action if they violate fire safety measures, he said.
—Agencies