Bhubaneswar: Two halls in the basement of Hotel New Marrion in Bhubaneswar were sealed today during a fire safety audit by the Odisha Fire Services to check adherence to Odisha Fire Safety and Fire Prevention Rules, 2017.
Fire Services DG BK Sharma informed that the halls were sealed without any notice but as a precautionary measure. Marriage and other functions were held in the halls in violation of the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (Planning and Building Standards) Regulations, 2008.
Besides, fire safety measures were not adequate there. The entry and exit into the halls were hazardous; the ceiling was also fire prone, he added.
The hotel authorities have been handed over required documents in connection with the action taken by the department, said sources.
As per reports, 13 teams of Odisha Fire Services had conducted raids on 26 commercial establishments, including shopping malls, hotels and jewelry stores, in the Capital city today. While some buildings lacked fire no-objection certificate (NoC), others did not have adequate fire fighting equipments and smoke detectors. Fire safety norms were also being violated by some establishments.
"We had not been provided with any instruction during the construction of our building, so I had only kept a fire extinguisher. I would have made it ready if they had given the instructions," said a mall manager, Nishant.
"I must say that prevention is better than cure. The priority should be to prevent any fire and fire safety measures should be ready. Therefore, the fire department should perform surprise checks to ensure if the things are at proper place or not," said a local resident.