Jaipur fire: Kishanpole MLA questions fire NOCs; claims safety systems not checked in nearly 3 years
Jaipur: Following the massive fire at Sethi Complex in Tripolia Bazaar, Kishanpole MLA Amin Kagzi questioned the functioning of the Municipal Corporation and the fire safety arrangements in Jaipur’s Walled City.
Kagzi called for a re-examination of Fire NOCs issued to properties in the area and alleged that fire safety systems had not been inspected even once in nearly three years.
He also alleged that illegal encroachments were taking place under the government’s watch and were affecting the heritage character of the Walled City.
His comments came after a massive fire broke out at around 7 a.m. on Thursday at Sethi Complex in Maniharon Ka Katla, popularly known as Purohit Ji Ka Katla, in Jaipur’s Tripolia Bazaar.
The fire reportedly started in goods kept in cartons outside a clothing shop on the second floor and soon spread to more than 20 shops and warehouses. The affected establishments include clothing warehouses, plastic goods shops and bangle stores.
Thick smoke and flames were visible from Subhash Chowk towards Chandpole. The Manak Chowk police station is located close to the site. After noticing the smoke, police personnel rushed to the spot and alerted the fire department. Fire tenders began arriving around 8 a.m., and more than 15 fire brigade vehicles were later engaged in firefighting operations.
Firefighters faced difficulties because of the narrow space and the large quantity of goods stored inside the shops and warehouses. The electricity supply in the area was also disconnected as a precautionary measure.
Manak Chowk SHO Rakesh Khyaliya said the preliminary investigation indicated that the fire was caused by a short circuit. According to the SHO, most of the establishments in the complex deal in clothing, and stock kept in the verandas caught fire.
Police will also investigate whether the concerned shop owner had a valid Fire NOC.
A local trader alleged that the owner of Sethi Complex was carrying out construction of a restaurant and hotel on the upper floor of the building. According to Chandwani, welding work was being carried out there in the mornings. He claimed that traders and local residents had previously raised objections but that no action had been taken by the municipal authorities.
Another trader alleged that a spark from the welding work may have fallen onto the goods stored in the shops below and triggered the fire.
This claim has not been independently established, and the police investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
Eyewitness and guard Vikram Singh said the fire appeared to have started in a bangle and general merchandise warehouse and spread after coming into contact with goods stored in the veranda.
Singh said he and three sanitation workers were inside the warehouse when the fire intensified. They broke the lock and lifted the shutter to escape. He said his hand was burned after coming in contact with the hot shutter. As the fire spread, shopkeepers began removing their stock and moving it to safer locations.
Some traders were also seen attempting to douse the flames with buckets of water. Police restricted access to Purohit Ji Ka Katla as a precaution, while firefighters and Civil Defence personnel continued their efforts to contain the blaze.
Questions have also been raised over the building’s fire safety equipment. Traders alleged that although fire safety equipment had been installed and a Fire NOC had been obtained, the system was not functioning when the fire broke out.
The allegation regarding the Fire NOC and the condition of the fire safety equipment will require verification by relevant authorities. The exact extent of the damage and the final cause of the fire will be established after the firefighting operation and investigation are completed.
