BHUBANESWAR: A massive blaze erupted at a terrace-top restaurant-cum-hookah bar, completely gutting the structure, at Satya Vihar here on Friday morning.
Occurring just days after the devastating Goa nightclub mishap that claimed at least 25 lives, the incident has exposed the dangerous state in which restaurants, bars and other public joints are operating in the capital city. There has been no casualty or injury due to the mishap as the fire caught in the morning when the restaurant was empty and not in the crowded evening hours. Had it taken place during the business hours, the results could have been tragic, sources said.
According to Fire Services officials, they received information about the fire at No Limit Air hookah bar at around 9 am and at least seven fire-fighting vehicles immediately rushed to the spot. The personnel took the stairs to reach the hookah bar running on the rooftop of the two-storey building. It took about an hour to douse the blaze completely.
Fire officers said a few staff were present there when the fire erupted. They tried to douse the fire but fled after it spread rapidly and engulfed the entire restaurant.
“Inflammable materials used for decorative purposes contributed to the blaze intensification. The fire might have sparked either due to a short circuit or lighting incense sticks during morning prayer rituals,” said deputy fire officer Narayan Dash.
The entire structure was built using iron rods, asbestos, plywood and other decorative items. It had foam chairs, fancy hookah sets and trays, which fuelled the fire, Dash said. The two-storey building houses a grocery mart on the ground floor, a furniture shop on the first, a hotel on the second and a guest house, and No Limit Air Hookah bar on the terrace.
As per Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety (Amendment) Rules, a shopping complex having a built up area of over 500 sq mtr and height of more than 9 mtr must apply for a fire safety certificate. Fire department officers said one fire safety certificate is issued to a commercial building consisting of various establishments like stores, restaurants and others.
However, the said building did not have the required fire safety certificate and all the facilities there were operating in violation of the norms. “The hookah bar had some fire extinguishers but lacked other safety measures like an emergency exit, hose pipe, hydrant and alarm systems,” said Dash.
Officials of the Excise department said licence was not provided to No Limit Air to serve liquor. However, it was alleged that liquor was being illegally served to the customers. The restaurant was also found to be remaining open till late night hours, they said.
“A raid was conducted about two months back at the joint on receiving allegations that liquor was being served to the customers but no evidence was found. Similar allegations resurfaced after a fire broke out there on the day,” said Excise superintendent, Debashish Patel.
Excise commissioner P Anwesha Reddy has directed to conduct an inquiry into the matter, Patel said.
However, the restaurant-cum-hookah bar’s silent partner Faisal Khan claimed they have all the required licences and fire safety measures to run the business. About Rs 1.5 crore was spent to set up the establishment and only food and hookah was being served to the customers, he said.