38 hotels, 35 hostels in Lko may lose their licenses for violating fire safety standards

LUCKNOW: For the first time, the fire department has proposed to withdraw the licenses of several city hotels and hospitals that fail to comply with fire safety norms and operate without proper precautions.

“A letter seeking cancellation of licences has been sent to the CMO and the district magistrate. The list includes both large and small companies from the hotel and hospital sectors,” said Mangesh Kumar, Chief Fire Officer (CFO), Lucknow, adding that a letter would also be sent to the electricity department to cut off their electricity as their electrical appliances were below standard, which could have been the reason for the short circuit.

According to Lucknow Fire & Emergency Services, the department has launched a rapid inspection of hotels and hospitals across the city. During the inspection, it was found that fire safety measures in 38 hotels and 35 hospitals were substandard. They were served notices a few months ago and given 30 days to improve fire safety measures.

“The fire brigade officials from the respective areas were tasked to check such hotels and hospitals. After finding many issues, they were first given a certain time to rectify the situation. Even after the time, the hotel and hospital operators did not pay heed to the notice. Accordingly, the fire brigade issued a notice requesting them to present the matter and asked for a response within 15 days. As no response was received within the stipulated time, action will be taken to cancel the licenses of the hotels and hospitals,” the CFO said.

WHAT WAS FOUND DURING THE INSPECTION

Firefighters who inspected the building found that there was only one entrance and exit door. In some places, there were no smoke detectors, sprinklers or tanks. If a fire broke out in such buildings, it would be difficult to contain the fire.

Deaths due to fires in hotels and hospitals:

January 31, 2023: One person dies in fire at SS Tower near Badshahnagar railway station

December 18, 2023: A seven-month-old baby and a middle-aged woman died and two others sustained injuries in a fire that broke out in the operating theatre of SGPGI OT.

November 28, 2022: Retired teacher dies in house fire in Sector 4 of Vikasnagar.

Oct 23, 2022: Retired IG dies in Indiranagar fire

September 5, 2022: Four people died and 10 were injured in a fire at Levana Suites hotel in Hazratganj.

May 1, 2019: 5 members of the same family died in a fire at a gas stove warehouse in Indiranagar

June 19, 2018: Seven people died in fire at SSJ, Virat Hotel