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Time of India
23-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Less than 2% buildings in Telangana sought fire NOC in last seven years
HYDERABAD : Only 7,000 of the 4.5 lakh buildings across Telangana obtained fire NOCs in the past seven years. Key reason: The Fire Services Act of 1999 that mandates NOCs only for structures taller than 15 metres. The rest can only be looked after by Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. According to officials, this limitation has led to widespread neglect of fire safety measures in buildings below the stipulated height, which account for 99% of fire accidents. "When we recently questioned the Old City Merchants' Association about the absence of fire safety equipment, they said that there are no mandated regulations. This shows complete disregard for safety protocols in non-high-rise structures due to lack of regulation," said Y Nagi Reddy, director general, Telangana fire services, stressing the need to amend the Act amid a rising rate of fire accidents, especially in Hyderabad. "We have already told the chief minister about the need to mandate safety equipment in all buildings. The department has sent proposals to amend the act in line with the present requirements of Hyderabad and Telangana. The existing Act was implemented 26 years ago, considering the circumstances prevalent during that time," he said. The dept said that the proposed amendments will mandate fire compliance for all buildings within city limits. It will also require all establishments to obtain a NOC, regardless of height. Currently, the Fire Services Act excludes industrial units, factories, and commercial buildings below 15 metres from regulation. "Owing to the current Act, even basic safety measures such as sprinklers, alarms, fire detection mechanisms, underground water sumps, and fire extinguishers on each floor — are not followed by buildings. The absence of periodic inspections and requirement for renewal contributes to this non-compliance with safety standards," said a senior fire official.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Less than 2% buildings in Telangana sought fire NOC in last 7 years
Hyderabad: Only 7,000 of the 4.5 lakh buildings across Telangana obtained fire NOCs in the past seven years. Key reason: The Fire Services Act of 1999 that mandates NOCs only for structures taller than 15 metres. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The rest can only be looked after by Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. According to officials, this limitation has led to widespread neglect of fire safety measures in buildings below the stipulated height, which account for 99% of fire accidents. "When we recently questioned the Old City Merchants' Association about the absence of fire safety equipment, they said that there are no mandated regulations. This shows complete disregard for safety protocols in non-high-rise structures due to lack of regulation," said Y Nagi Reddy, director general, Telangana fire services, stressing the need to amend the Act amid a rising rate of fire accidents, especially in Hyderabad. "We have already told the chief minister about the need to mandate safety equipment in all buildings. The department has sent proposals to amend the act in line with the present requirements of Hyderabad and Telangana. The existing Act was implemented 26 years ago, considering the circumstances prevalent during that time," he said. The dept said that the proposed amendments will mandate fire compliance for all buildings within city limits. It will also require all establishments to obtain a NOC, regardless of height. Currently, the Fire Services Act excludes industrial units, factories, and commercial buildings below 15 metres from regulation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Owing to the current Act, even basic safety measures such as sprinklers, alarms, fire detection mechanisms, underground water sumps, and fire extinguishers on each floor — are not followed by buildings. The absence of periodic inspections and requirement for renewal contributes to this non-compliance with safety standards," said a senior fire official.
New Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Fire Services Amendment Bill presented to the King, says Nga
KUANTAN: The Fire Services (Amendment) Bill 2025 has been presented to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, for approval. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the bill will be gazetted before it can be implemented by the Fire and Rescue Department. "The latest amendment to the Fire Services Act is vital, particularly in terms of management and regulations involving volunteer firemen, fire cadet corps, private fire brigades, fire safety consultants and consulting firms, competent individuals, fire safety contractors, training providers, instructors, and fire-fighting equipment or fire safety installation. "The bill was passed in the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara this year and has been presented to the King for his consent," he said in his speech during the national-level World Firefighters Day celebration at the Kuantan Municipal Council Field 1 here today. The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, graced the celebration here today. The theme of this year's celebration is "Bomba Tonggak Penyelamatan Negara." Also present were the Tengku Ampuan Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah; Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah; Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail; Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu along with Fire and Rescue department director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad. Nga described the sacrifices of the firefighters as "a torch that never goes out, burning brightly in the darkness of disaster, calming anxiety when the hearts are filled with unease"( ibarat obor yang tidak pernah padam, menyala terang di tengah kegelapan musibah, merawat keresahan saat hati penuh rasa gundah.) "In the recent gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights, Subang on the morning of syawal (first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri), we witnessed the sacrifice of the firefighters, who risked their lives and worked with extraordinary courage, putting their own safety at stake to save lives and properties. "They remain steadfast on the front lines, proving their spirit and dedication towards the trust placed upon their shoulders despite having to sacrifice their time, energy, and emotions while others are celebrating Hari Raya," he said. Speaking on the annual World Firefighters' Day celebration on May 4. Nga said the event was not just to celebrate the firefighters, but also to serve as a platform for the people to understand and appreciate the true meaning of sacrifice. Meanwhile, Nga said Pahang had 28 fire stations across the state and the ministry, along with the Fire and Rescue Department, would be implementing new infrastructure development projects to further strengthen fire-fighting and rescue services here. He said the projects included the renovation at the Kuantan Fire and Rescue station and the upgrading of the Bentong fire station. "New fire stations will be built at Sungai Lembing (Kuantan) and Benta (Lipis). The construction of the Gohtong Jaya fire and rescue station and staff quarters is through a smart partnership with Genting Malaysia Bhd. "Preliminary land acquisition work is being carried out to develop the Pulau Tioman Fire and Rescue station in Kampung Tekek on the island," he said.
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Kolkata hotel fire: Owner, manager held, probe panel to submit report in 15 days
Kolkata: The owner and manager of Hotel Rituraj in central Kolkata, where a fire broke out on Tuesday night killing at least 14 people, including two children, and injuring over a dozen, were arrested on Thursday, police said. The hotel's owner, Akash Chawla, and manager, Gaurav Kapoor, were arrested following an FIR registered by Kolkata Police on Wednesday. 'We have charged the hotel authorities under relevant sections, including culpable homicide not amounting murder, of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita and the Fire Services Act,' a police officer said. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, meanwhile, has set up a committee headed by state urban development minister Firhad Hakim to check the fire fighting systems in hotels, malls and markets across the state and submit a report within 15 days. 'Make surprise visits and check details (fire-fighting systems). I want a report within 15 days. No combustible materials such as plastic and chemicals should be stored in shops and shopping malls. The fire-fighting system should be checked regularly. If there are multiple gas cylinders, the fire spreads fast. There are areas where the fire tenders can't enter. I am giving 15 days' time,' Banerjee said. At least 10 fire tenders were deployed after the fire broke out around 8.20 pm on the first floor of the six-storey hotel on Madan Mohan Burman Street. Also Read: Kolkata: At least 14 persons, including 2 children, killed in hotel fire One hotel-staff, identified as Manoj Paswas, died after he jumped from one of the floors. 'Autopsies of the bodies revealed that in most cases deaths were caused by asphyxia, due to inhalation of carbon soot and in at least two cases thermal burn injuries,' the officer said. Banerjee, who visited the spot, said the hotel's fire-fighting system was allegedly defunct. 'Most of the people died not because of the blaze, but because of the smoke. There was no mechanism for the smoke to escape. The fire-fighting system was defunct. There were pipes but there was no water. There was a staircase but it couldn't be used while people were trying to escape. Two people got trapped in the staircase and died. Police and fire-brigade could save around 90 people through an adjacent building using ladders,' Banerjee added. The Kolkata police have set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into the case. Also Read:Kolkata hotel fire eyewitnesses recount harrowing ordeal Preliminary investigations revealed that the hotel, which had been operating since 1989, had a fire safety clearance that expired in 2022 and was not renewed thereafter. 'As most of the victims were from other states, the state administration are making flight arrangements to send their bodies to their home-state after the postmortem. The administration would also issue the death certificates,' an officer said. Raising concern about the several dilapidated buildings in the Burrabazar area that are still occupied by residents, Banerjee said, 'The civic body has sent them notices to vacate the building. The residents are, however, not moving out. I would ask the police, fire brigade and Kolkata municipal corporation (KMC) to hold a meeting with the locals so that the buildings could be repaired and renovated. Safety and security are foremost.' The SIT and forensic team also visited the hotel on Thursday to collect samples from the spot. Also Read:4 killed after fire breaks out in Ajmer hotel, 5 critical The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, alleged that the fire which killed 14 people was due to the 'gross negligence' of the state government and the city's civic body.' 'I demand a high-level, transparent probe to uncover the lapses that led to this tragedy and to hold all responsible accountable, be it negligent officials, complicit inspectors, or the hotel management. The State's failure to prioritize public safety cannot be swept under the rug by putting the entire blame on the Hotel Management, by treating them as scapegoats,' BJP legislator and leader of the opposition Suvendu Adhikari wrote on X.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Time of India
Owner, manager of Kolkata hotel, where fire killed 14, arrested
Police arrested Akash Chawla and Gaurav Kapoor, owner and manager of Rituraj Hotel. A fire at the hotel in Kolkata killed 14 people. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening. Authorities registered a case against them under the BNS and Fire Services Act. Twelve bodies were identified and handed over to families. Efforts are underway to identify the remaining two bodies. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The owner and the manager of the central Kolkata hotel, where a devastating fire killed 14 people, were arrested on Thursday, police said. Akash Chawla , the owner of Rituraj Hotel , and manager Gaurav Kapoor were taken into custody in the morning, they said.A suo motu case was registered at the Jorasanko police station under various sections of the BNS, including 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), and the West Bengal Fire Services Act against them, they said 12 of the 14 bodies recovered from the hotel were identified and their post-mortem examinations bodies have been handed over to their families, they said, adding that efforts were underway to ascertain the identities of the remaining two were 88 guests in 42 rooms of the six-storey budget hotel, located in Mechhua in the congested Burrabazar area, when the fire broke out at 8.10 pm on Tuesday.
