Sir,

This refers to the news item in SOM dated Dec. 15 about the fire accident that occurred at Dasara Exhibition venue. It is also stated in the report that fire tenders were called from the Saraswathipuram Fire Station to douse the fire.

As a learning from this, it is suggested as follows: One fire tender must be placed mandatorily at all exhibition venues (either inside or outside close to the main entrance) to attend immediately to such eventualities.

Such arrangements can save a lot of precious lives and valuable goods. The costs related to making available the fire tender at exhibitions can be charged to organisers or firms.

Secondly, it should be made compulsory for every stall to have their own small and easily carriable fire extinguishers to use at emergencies in their stalls and this condition must be mentioned in the licence agreements. Thirdly, all exhibitions must have pathways for fire tenders to come in and fire exits shall be clearly visible to the public at all strategic points to enable them to come out quickly.

Hope the District Administration will take more precautionary steps immediately before permissions are given for expos in the coming days.

– H.N. Ramesh, Srirampura, 15.12.2022

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