Fire safety at public places is Govt responsibility

There is dire need that the concerned quarters of the government in Jammu and Kashmir should ensure that no public place remains reluctant in ensuring foolproof fire safety measures because the Union Territory comprising hilly and mountainous hamlets is more prone to such infernos as could be gauged well by counting the ravaging fire incidents that took place in recent times with colossal loss of property and even precious lives.

Although, it is very difficult for the people sitting at helm to ensure fire safety at each and every home and hearth, but this doesn't means that they should sit idle and see the devastation on account of fire incidents that are occurring quite frequently as people seems to have gone sordid over this very important matter.

The Kishtwar ravaging fire which turned over 80 houses into ashes leading to CM Omar Abdullah's relief measure of over Rs. 1.7 crore for the affected lot has also not been taken as seriously by the people because the fire incidents are being reported continuously from various districts of J&K making life very unpredictable. In the same context, reportedly about 130 Madrassa students had a narrow escape when a massive fire broke out at an old building housing Madrassa Saraj Ul Aloom in mountainous Chatroo area near Guzaar Pul in Kishtwar District. It is pertinent to mention that this building earlier served as IGNOU centre. It is quite fortunate that there was no loss of life in the incident but the property faced huge losses. This is not enough because in another incident an overnight fire in the Hyhama area of North Kashmir's Kupwara district destroyed nearly 11 structures, including five residential houses.

Reportedly, the fire broke out around midnight and quickly spread, engulfing five residential houses, three shops, and cowsheds. Fortunately, there was no loss of life in the incident. As the winter is approaching it is likely that such cases of inferno will increase and therefore the concerned quarters including the Fire and Emergency Services Department should take over the charge and at least ensure that all the fire safety norms are being followed strictly at all the public places including those owned by the private entities as this is sole responsibility of the government. There is also a dire need to conduct fire safety drills at the places where often people congregate on one pretext or the other as this is important for educating people against the fires. Regular and surprise inspections by the government agencies to check the preparedness against fire incidents at the public places are also vital for ensuring fire safety.