City eateries, pubs playing with fire

MUMBAI BLAZE Experts point out gross violations of fire safety regulations by owners

NEWDELHI: Violation of fire safety norms, illegal extensions and a narrow entry are some of the reasons that are being attributed to the fire tragedy in Mumbai’s Kamala Mills that killed 14 people.

When it comes to scant regard for safety rules, Delhi’s restaurants and pubs are no different and, therefore, are equally vulnerable to fire accidents, experts and officials said. The national Capital had its tryst with what such criminal indifference could cause in the Uphaar Cinema fire tragedy, in which 59 people died.

Loopholes in a law governing restaurants, their faulty structural designs and absence of mandatory security apparatus has made these joints even in upscale areas such as Connaught Place, Khan Market and Hauz Khas Village vulnerable to tragedies.

According to Atul Garg, chief fire officer, Delhi Fire Services, the existing law does not require eateries with seating capacity for less than 50 persons to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the fire department.

A deputy commissioner of police said some owners tweak the law by running their restaurants from multiple floors in the same building – showing they abide by the 50 seating rule. “But the floors are connected by a narrow and steep staircase. That staircase is the sole escape route in an emergency,” the DCP said.

An assistant divisional officer of DFS said in many restaurants the emergency exits are often locked. Fire extinguishers are difficult to spot and the restaurant staff is not trained to use them or help guests in an emergency.