KOLLAM: Eight shops were completely gutted and four others partially burnt after a fire broke out at Paikkada, near Chinnakkada, here in the early hours of Saturday.
It took 100 firefighters from 10 fire stations in the district to bring the blaze under control. Electric short circuit is suspected to be the reason behind the accident. “It took us five hours to douse the fire,” said a firefighter with the Chamakkada Fire Station Unit.
“The mishap was reported around 4.45 am. Considering the severity of the situation, other fire units from the district were pressed into service.” A total of 15 fire tenders were also present. It was an ardous task to break open the locks on the shutters as they were redhot, he said.
“Making matters worse, most decrepit shops had wooden rafters. The atrophied wiring system was also a problem. The shops were mainly godowns and storerooms,” the firefighter said. The operation was spearheaded by Assistant Divisional Officer K K Shiju, Chamakkada Fire Station Officer D Ullas and Kadappakada Fire Station officer Harikumar.
Mukesh told reporters the Revenue Minister had assured him all possible help and the possibility of sanctioning financial assistance from the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund will also be looked into. Meanwhile, firefighters said the fire accident at Paikkada was an accident waiting to happen as the shop-owners were forewarned by the Kadappakada Fire Station Unit nearly a year ago.
“Most shops didn’t fall under the purview of the Kerala Municipal Building Rules and they failed to ensure even minimum fire safety standards. Had they heeded the warning, this mishap could have been averted,” said a firefighter.