KOCHI: “When I came to the mall I saw smoke coming out of the fourth floor. I was not allowed to enter the floor where my shop is located. Later on my employees, who were present at the time of the incident described what happened. They were all scared,” said Arun K, owner of Cream Studio at Oberon Mall in Edapally.
A fire broke out on Tuesday morning on the fourth floor. However, many who were present were unaware of what was happening.
“Thick smoke engulfed the floor by 11.15 am causing the fire alarm to go off. On hearing it, we began evacuating the people from the multiplexes and the food courts. Everyone, including the staff were evacuated via the corridors and lifts,” said a security staff, who requested anonymity.
The security staff also broke the glass panes of the building to release the thick smoke that began accumulating in the fourth. The mall has an effective fire safety system in place and the staff managed to contain the fire with the help of sprinklers.
Due to their efforts the three units of Fire and Rescue Services that rushed to the spot didn’t have much work to do. Eyewitnesses praised the effort of the mall staff.
However, the incident has raised questions about the safety system in place at malls and high-rises. Recently, Fire and Rescue Service Department found that many high-rises in the city aren’t equipped to tackle a fire outbreak. Officers said the building owner must ensure that fire safety facilities are operational.
The local bodies or the district administration need to take action against the owners who do not comply with fire safety rules.
K Laljy, Ernakulam Assistant Commissioner, said, the mall’s effective fire fighting system helped to avert a tragedy.
Meanwhile, A S Vijayan, who resides near the mall, alleged the four entrances of the mall intended to allow smooth movement of the fire engines during emergencies are being used for other purposes. “Besides, waste is being dumped behind the building creating hindrance to the movement of firefighters,” he pointed out.
