Fire safety

According to some media reports, the court in the Regent Plaza fire case has held that the fire safety system in Karachi’s famous hotel was outdated. Last year, on Dec 5, 2016, almost 12 people died and 80 were left wounded when fire broke out in the hotel. This needs the urgent attention of the provincial government. The increasing rate of fire incidents in the city is alarming. Almost all initial inquiries have come to the same conclusion: Ill-equipped and outdated safety system. The concerned authorities should ensure that all buildings are equipped with proper safety gears. Annual checks in multi-storey office buildings and condominiums should be carried out by building control authorities to check their safety system.

Had there been functional system in place, precious human lives could have been saved. It has also been noticed that fire brigades also have non-functioning snorkels. All mega cities including Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Islamabad must have latest fire fighting equipments. The chief ministers of all provinces are requested to look into this serious issue. Heavy financial penalties should be imposed on buildings’ administration that are found to be using outdated safety systems.

Engr Riaz Akbar

Wah Cantt