Day after fire tragedy, DFS swings into action

New Delhi: Waking after the horrific death of 17 people at  hotel Arpit Palace in Karol Bagh, the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) has initiated action against the hotel even as the Delhi police FIR states that there were serious lapses by the hotel staff.

DFS on Wednesday began a fire-audit at about 380 hotels across Central Delhi’s Karol Bagh, a senior fire officer said.

“We have formed six teams consiting of  a dozen officials to carry out inspections in all hotels and guest houses across Karol Bagh area. We have begun the inspection,” said Atul Kumar Garg, chief fire service officer.

The FIR registered by the Delhi police states that the hotel authorities for their own profit and business, did not care about the safety of the guests and used extensive inflammable material in the hotel without making sufficient safety arrangements leading to Tuesday morning’s tragedy claiming 17 lives.

Further, despite possessing fire department’s no-objection certificate (NOC), the untrained staff at the hotel could not use the equipment to douse fire. A case under section 304 and 308 has been registered against owner of the hotel Shardendu Goel.

The hotel has 46 rooms out of which 35 were occupied with 60 guests, and 12 hotel staff were on duty during the incident. During inspection, it was found that there were no panic alarm and only one emergency exit, which was closed due to unknown reasons.