Why repeated fires in condos? Gzb to hold review meet

Ghaziabad: After two major fires broke out in Indirapuram within a month, the district administration has sought reports from Ghaziabad Development Authority, discom and fire department. A meeting will be held on June 2 to review these reports, officials said on Friday.

The recent fire incidents in Ghaziabad's Indirapuram — Gaur Green Avenue and Gaur Biz Business Park — have raised serious concerns over fire safety and emergency preparedness in high-rise residential and commercial complexes.

On April 29, a fire broke out in a flat in Tower D of Gaur Green Avenue and ripped through five floors, damaging at least 13 apartments. The residents were safely evacuated and no casualties were reported though property of significant value was destroyed. Another fire broke out in the meter room located in the basement of Gaur Biz Business Park and spread through electrical wiring and panelling on Wednesday. The blaze also impacted nearby structures, including parts of Gaur Green Avenue. No injuries were reported in this case as well.

Officials told TOI that a committee headed by the GDA secretary had been constituted on April 30 to review safety measures, investigate the causes of the fire, assess whether adequate safeguards are in place to prevent such incidents and evaluate the district's preparedness to handle emergencies. “The report has been submitted this week and action will be taken by the district magistrate,” an official said.

DM Ravindra Kumar Mandar has sought a report from the discom to determine whether residential complexes in the city are operating within their sanctioned power load. Another report has been sought from GDA to verify whether the original map approved by the Authority is still being followed. In case any additional or illegal construction is found, it will be removed.

The administration has also asked the fire department to submit a detailed report regarding fire NOCs issued to the residential societies and the overall preparedness of the premises to handle emergency situations. Officials have been asked to verify whether all fire safety systems and equipment are functional and properly maintained. The report will also assess whether the society is complying with the fire safety norms and if adequate measures are in place to prevent such incidents.

The meeting will be attended by police, sub-divisional magistrates, PWD and irrigation department as well.