Poor fire audit, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation apathy lead to frequent fire mishaps

Thiruvananthapuram: Poor fire audit and inaction of the civic body was ensuring recurrent fire outbreaks around Padmanabhaswamy temple, the richest in the world. Fire officials say they cannot legally force old private buildings to upgrade with firefighting devices. Soon after a fire gutted Rajadhani building on August 28, an audit was conducted around high-security temple zone.

Interestingly, the buildings the fire engulfed on Sunday were excluded from audit as it was a central government property. Sleuths were not aware of flammable materials stacked there. The audit, however, found 70 unsafe buildings surrounding the temple sandwiched between S. Street, Anakottil Street, Karippukoikkal Street and the street from Padmatheertham end to Regional Transport office. The report was submitted to the district administration in October. “We haven't received details of the audit,” said mayor V.K. Prasanth.