KOCHI: A fire broke out at Oberon Mall, one of the busiest shopping centres in the city and the second mall to come up in the state, on Tuesday.
No casualty or major loss to property was reported in the blaze that broke out in one of kitchens at the food court on the fourth floor of the building.
According to a Fire and Rescue Services officer, timely action of firefighters averted a major disaster as the public and staff were safely evacuated from the five-storey building within seconds after the fire was reported.The fourth-floor also houses a four-screen multiplex and the games area.
“The fire was spotted in one of the kitchens at the food court around 11.30 am. On hearing the alarm, the firefighting staff at the mall rushed to the spot and started dousing the fire using fire sprinklers. In the meantime, the people were evacuated via corridors and lifts.
By noon, the Fire and Rescue Services team reached the spot and brought the situation under control,” said the officer.
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The blaze reportedly broke out at the kitchen of ‘Chak De’ food stall.
Fire and Rescue Services Assistant Divisional Officer V Sidhakumar said the fire broke out from the thandoori oven in a kitchen at the food court.
“The oily content and coagulated fat on the exhaust pipe fixed to clear smoke from the oven had fallen on the thermocol roof of the kitchen. When temperature rose owing to the cooking in the room, the roof caught fire. No major loss has been reported as the fire was brought under control before spreading to other areas,” he said.
However, it took around four hours for the fire fighters to clear the building of smoke, by breaking the window panes, said Sidhakumar.Three units of Fire and Rescue Services teams from Thrikkakara and Gandhinagar were pressed into service.
Mall to remain closed for a couple of days
Oberon Mall manager Joji John said the fire fighting system in place and alacrity of the staff helped douse the fire. “All customers were evacuated through the main stairs and fire exit. We thank the Fire and Rescue Services personnel for their timely intervention and support. The mall will reopen within a couple of days after completing all formalities,” said Joji.