Surat Fire Tragedy: After Twin City, Lens On Coaching Centres Across Odisha

Ganjam/Rourkela: Odisha Fire Department has pulled up its socks after the Surat Fire tragedy claimed 23 young lives on May 24. After conducting inspections in coaching centres of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, the department has now put the lens on such places in Berhampur, Balasore, Sambalpur and Rourkela.

As per reports, 10 teams under the supervision of IG Rajesh Kumar conducted checks in coaching centres of Berhampur today. The officers checked all floors of these centres for fire safety measures and arrangements. This included thorough inspection of unsafe electric panel, blocked corridors and congested class rooms. 

They also sensitized, trained and made the students aware of the life-saving steps that are needed to be taken, in case a fire broke out. In addition to that, they checked whether a fire safety license had been sanctioned to the building.

Inspection broadly revealed that many coaching centres do not have complete and comprehensive fire safety measures. In some places, fixed fire fighting installations are necessary to be installed. Besides, the staircases, corridors, escape routes etc. were found to have been blocked. Most of coaching centres did not have adequate exit signages to lead the occupants to places of safety in case of any emergency.

Notices shall be issued to the defaulting centres to fulfill the shortcomings within specified time period, informed the fire officials.