Latest news with #CalicutTextiles
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Kozhikode blaze loss estimated at Rs 40 crore, multiple probes under way
KOZHIKODE: The massive fire at a multi-storied commercial building near the Kozhikode Mofussil Bus Stand on Sunday has resulted in an estimated loss of Rs 40 crore, according to a preliminary assessment by the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services. District fire officer Moosa Vadakkethil said that while the exact figure is yet to be determined, the loss could be close to Rs 40 crore. He also revealed that Calicut Textiles, the establishment that reportedly first caught fire, does not possess a mandatory fire safety no-objection certificate (NOC). 'In our initial investigation, we haven't found anything suspicious behind the fire. However, only the forensic team can confirm the actual cause. When we arrived at the scene, fires had broken out in two different sections, likely due to a short circuit,' Moosa told TNIE. He denied any lapse on the part of the fire service, stating that firefighters reached the location within three minutes of receiving the alert. 'We received the information on 5:05 pm. We immediately reached the spot. However the building had no safety system in place, clothes were piled up even in the verandah, and the fire exit was sealed with metal sheets. Our personnel struggled for hours to gain access and bring the fire under control. By 10 pm, we managed to bring the fire under control and by 5 am on Monday morning we cleared the fire and left the spot,' he explained. Police officers also ruled out foul play in their preliminary findings. Kasaba circle inspector Kiran C Nair said that a detailed investigation would be needed to ascertain the exact cause of the fire. 'A large area has been destroyed, and the roofing has collapsed. Investigating in such conditions is extremely challenging,' he noted.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kozhikode fire mishap: Inspections find safety lapses, building rule violations
Kozhikode: A day after Kozhikode corporation 's shopping complex at the Moffusil bus stand building was gutted in a massive fire, safety lapses and building rule violations , including unauthorized extensions and modifications which hindered firefighting efforts, have come to light. Multiple agencies, including police, Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), town planning, forensic and drugs control departments and dog squad, conducted joint inspection at the gutted complex on Monday. The inspection revealed that there were no fire alarm systems in the building, alterations were made to create more storage space and fire exits were blocked. The corridors and even walkways were covered using metal sheets and converted as godown spaces of the textile shop. Meanwhile, the inspection teams haven't ruled out the possibility of short circuit being the cause of the accident. Corporation mayor Beena Philip said that a comprehensive probe would be conducted and action would be taken if official lapses were found. It has emerged that Beach fire station had issued a notice to the textile shop owner and corporation flagged absence of fire safety mechanisms in the building after the fire audit in 2020-21. However, no further action was taken in this regard. Meanwhile, police are also probing whether the feud between the textile shop owner and his former partner had any role in the incident. Opposition leader in Kozhikode corporation K C Shobitha said there were unauthorised constructions at the gutted textile shop and godown. Lack of a proper fire station after Beach fire station was shifted also affected the firefighting capabilities within city limits, she added. Also, lack of fire hydrants near the shopping complex forced the fire tenders to refill water from Mananchira. Police registered a case under section 306 (1) (c) (FA) of the police standing order. As per the FIR, Calicut Textiles alone suffered a loss of Rs 8 crore in the fire and also affected other shops like PRC Medicals, Calicut Apparels, Calicut Fashion Bazar and Calicut Furnishing. Traders said that the losses would be pegged at Rs 15 crore. Kalpetta MLA T Siddique alleged that Kozhikode corporation authorities, who condoned law violations by taking cash, were the prime culprits as they failed to take action despite brazen violations. Fire tenders had to battle the blaze for over five hours to bring it under control. Unauthorized covers in the corridors and a large number of flex boards exacerbated the blaze and posed a huge challenge to fire fighters in dousing the fire.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Fire guts shopping complex at Kozhikode pvt bus stand
Kozhikode: A massive fire broke out at a shopping complex inside the mofussil bus stand in the heart of the city on Sunday evening, gutting a textile shop and several others. Thick black smoke covered the city for hours. Though no one was injured in the fire on the upper floors of the shopping complex owned by Kozhikode Corporation, the blaze completely destroyed a large stock of textile goods (reportedly stored ahead of school reopening and Eid), a pharmacy godown and several other shops. The loss is estimated to be in crores. Sources said the fire started around 4.45pm at Calicut Textiles on the upper floors of the building. The flames quickly spread across the top floors, causing panic across the city. The fire grew stronger around 7.30pm, leading to a large-scale firefighting operation. Although firefighters brought it under control after four hours, small flames were still visible inside the building even at 10pm. The upper floors were completely gutted. Fire units from Beach, Vellimadukunnu and Meenchanda stations were the first to respond. As the fire worsened, more units arrived from various Malabar districts. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like People Born 1940-1975 With No Life Insurance Could Be Eligible For This Reassured Get Quote Undo Airports Authority of India also sent a special fire tender from Calicut International Airport. The fire was first seen near PRC Medical Store at the bus stand. Authorities quickly evacuated people, closed nearby shops and redirected buses. A major disaster was avoided as the complex was less crowded since it was a Sunday and everyone inside managed to escape in time. The exact cause of the fire is still unknown. Firefighters struggled to douse the flames as metal sheets, large hoardings and signboards blocked access to the top floor corridors. They used JCBs to remove the obstacles. Firefighters also cleared flammable materials from the lower floors and worked nonstop to stop the fire from spreading to the nearby four-story Fashion Bazaar building. Traders claimed fire units took around 20 minutes to arrive even though they informed the department immediately. They also claimed the building lacked fire safety systems. The fire disrupted bus services from the stand and affected traffic on Mavoor and Rajaji roads. Forest Minister AK Saseendran, MLAs Ahmed Devarkovil and Thottathil Raveendran, collector Snehil Kumar Singh, DCP Arun K Pavithran and deputy mayor Musafar Ahmed reached the site and led the rescue efforts. Meanwhile, the chief secretary asked the collector for a report on the blaze.
