The Times of India 06.09.2010
Fire in underground dumpyard of flat creates scare
AHMEDABAD: Tension ran high at a residential complex near Keshavnagar in Sabarmati on Sunday afternoon when a fire broke out in the building's underground, empty parking space.
According to officials who participated in the operation, the space was used as a dumping ground by residents and an attempt to burn the waste may have led to fire that engulfed the entire space. The parking lot is empty, said fire officials, owing to a dispute between the residents and the builder.
Citing it as a case of negligence, fire brigade officials have informed estate department and road and building department of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). They have asked AMC take note of the case and take punitive action against the builder and residents.
According to Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services ( AFES) officials, they got a call about a fire in basement at Madhuram Apartment near Keshavbaug on Sunday. The fire was spread across the basement locked down by the builder to prevent it from usage.
"The basement had been turned into a dumping ground by the residents as a mark of protest. The bone of contention were parking charges that the residents were not ready to pay. Thus, there were heaps of garbage and the firefighters had to wear oxygen masks just to enter the area and survey it. The entire atmosphere was contaminated," said a senior official.
The fire was controlled after a three-hour operation. According to officials, the fire may have started after some residents tried to burn the garbage.
The officials showed concern about the stocked-up garbage and reported it to AMC. "When the city is already suffering from various monsoon-related ailments, such a garbage pile can be a major health hazard for the flat and nearby residences," said the official.
According to officials who participated in the operation, the space was used as a dumping ground by residents and an attempt to burn the waste may have led to fire that engulfed the entire space. The parking lot is empty, said fire officials, owing to a dispute between the residents and the builder.
Citing it as a case of negligence, fire brigade officials have informed estate department and road and building department of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). They have asked AMC take note of the case and take punitive action against the builder and residents.
According to Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services ( AFES) officials, they got a call about a fire in basement at Madhuram Apartment near Keshavbaug on Sunday. The fire was spread across the basement locked down by the builder to prevent it from usage.
"The basement had been turned into a dumping ground by the residents as a mark of protest. The bone of contention were parking charges that the residents were not ready to pay. Thus, there were heaps of garbage and the firefighters had to wear oxygen masks just to enter the area and survey it. The entire atmosphere was contaminated," said a senior official.
The fire was controlled after a three-hour operation. According to officials, the fire may have started after some residents tried to burn the garbage.
The officials showed concern about the stocked-up garbage and reported it to AMC. "When the city is already suffering from various monsoon-related ailments, such a garbage pile can be a major health hazard for the flat and nearby residences," said the official.
