Sealed vents and makeshift partitions behind blazes in Kochi

Fire and Rescue Services had a tough time containing blaze in building on Wednesday

Fire and rescue services personnel who fought a major blaze in a building on Electronic Street in Kochi on Wednesday had a horror time thanks to the tinkering with the building structure that hampered unhindered firefighting. Firefighters lament that they come across two very common impediments in all major fire breakouts at shops and commercial establishments, which was the case in the recent fire as well. “Most buildings will have the vents permanently sealed primarily as a precaution against theft. Temporary partitions using highly inflammatory objects add to fire outbreak vulnerability. Such cloistered atmosphere creates a pressure cooker-like situation leading to stoking of smoke and spread of fire at double-quick pace making an already hazardous job of firefighting even more dangerous,” said K.K. Shiju, Ernakulam Regional Fire Officer. He lamented that in the absence of Fire Safety Rules, fire and rescue services remain handicapped in taking penal measures against violators.