Kozhikode: SM Street a tinderbox

KOZHIKODE: No fire tank, missing of fire pumps and proper firefighting system, malfunctioning fire extinguisher, heaps of waste on staircases and congested walkways are the scene of shops in the SM Street here now. March 26 is the last date for them to rectify defects of many years or face closure for violating the Disaster Management Act. A recent joint inspection by various government departments and the corporation's electrical wing brought to lights the fire safety violations at the shopping complexes in the traditional shopping zone, a nostalgia for Kozhikkodans.

“If the present condition continues, chances for more such fire mishaps are high,” said district fire officer Arun Bhaskar. “The fire department is on a 14-day mission, to trace all the shops in SM Street violating norms, leading to frequent mishaps. We have completed a five-day inspection, where the major focus was on the Koyenco Bazar and Oasis Complex, which alone has nearly 300 shops and hundreds of employees. SM Street has some 1000 shops, all connected to each other, and hence, he said, if a spark occurs, the chances to spread all over are high.