A timely action by the workers saved a major fire from spreading at a puja pandal at Kishoreganj area in Ranchi in the night intervening Saturday and Sunday. Fire Safety Department sources informed that the pandal was made of hay adding that a wire was running close by which is complete violation of the safety norms.

After a short circuit sparks flew from the wire cause and fell on the hay igniting a fire. The workers engaged in the pandal making however separated the burning hay from the pandal thus preventing blaze from spreading.

“We reached the information regarding fire at around 2:55 am. However by the time we rushed to the spot the blaze was brought under control by the workers,” said the state fire officer RK Thakur.

The fire officer stated that violation of the fire safety norms is widespread in the pandals this puja season as well.

He added in general the pandals have been asked to set up the pandals at open spaces so that fire extinguishers could reach the spot.

The organisers have been told to use PVC wire and also insulate the joints.

They have been asked to keep trained volunteers and also make emergency exit door. In addition they have also been advised to minimize use of inflammable materials in making of the pandals.

He said four magistrates and four officers of the fire department were inspecting the pandals to ascertain the implementation of the guidelines since Saturday.

They are likely to submit the report later in the evening.

Thakur however added that preliminary reports have indicated that most of the pandals have violated the standard fire safety norms. “We could only issue instructions. The power to enforce them is with the district administration,” he said.

It may be noted here that during an inspection of the pandals on Sunday the Ranchi DC Rai Mahimapat Ray and the SSP Anis Gupta also found lapses in the safety norms in the pandals and issued the necessary direction.

Meanwhile the state fire department is geared up to meet any emergency situation in the state capital. Officials informed that over two dozen fire extinguishers have been kept in ready state to meet crisis situation during the Durga puja.

As per the instruction of the administration the fire extinguishers have been kept in Police Control Room, Firayalal Chowk, Sadar police station and Doranda.

Leaves of all firemen have been cancelled and officers of the fire department are also working on Sundays.a