HYDERABAD: The three-member committee appointed to probe the fire accident in the D block of the Secretariat could not reach any conclusion on the cause of mishap due to `unavailability of sufficient information’.
However, the committee pointed out that there were `no adequate’ fire safety measures in all blocks of the Secretariat.
The officials strongly recommended preparation of a master plan on fire safety for all the blocks of the Secretariat and its immediate implementation.
The three-member committee comprising Principal Secretary (General Administration) RM Gonela, Director General of Fire Services Aruna Bahuguna and Roads and Buildings Chief Engineer Babu Raj today submitted its report mentioning the causes of the fire accident and preventive measures required to avoid similar mishaps in the future.
The officials ruled out arson as the possible cause of the mishap, as reported in a section of the media. They, however, did not rule out shortcircuit.
No data or files were damaged in the incident except for loss of property worth Rs 46.8 lakh, they said.
Gonela told reporters the committee strongly recommended uniform fire safety measures in all the blocks inside the Secretariat. They also wanted the authorities concerned to obtain a `No Objection Certificate’ from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) indicating compliance with fire safety standards.
Among the fire safety measures, the committee suggested installation of fire alarms, sprinklers and fire extinguishers besides construction of a fully-equipped fire station on the Secretariat premises.
According to the Director General of Fire Services, construction of a new fire station had been taken up at a cost of Rs 1 crore. I t would be equipped with a HAZMAT (Hazardous Material) vehicle to deal with any chemical accidents or attacks, apart from two fire tenders and a snorkel which could reach up to 18 floors.
Further, the Fire Services department was planning to ask all district authorities to verify fire safety standards in all government buildings and take corrective measures wherever necessary.