Students & parents raise fire safety concerns after Lucknow coaching centre fire
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The recent fire at a coaching centre in Lucknow which killed 15 has raised concerns among students and parents over fire safety standards in coaching institutes, including those operating in Dehradun. The incident has once again elicited focus on whether basic fire safety norms are being properly followed and regularly checked.
Ajeet Tomar, who operates a coaching institute in Dehradun said that his institute has fire extinguishers, emergency exits and other basic safety arrangements in place. He said that the Lucknow incident has prompted the institute to recheck its safety systems and ensure that all equipment is in working condition. He added that students and staff are also regularly made aware of basic fire safety procedures.
However, Tomar also pointed out that many coaching centres face practical difficulties in fully complying with fire safety requirements due to infrastructural constraints and financial limitations. He said that there is a need for stricter monitoring and regular inspections by the authorities to improve overall safety standards.
A student preparing for competitive examinations Samit Singh said that he is aware of emergency exits and safety arrangements in his coaching centre but added that most students do not seriously notice these facilities until an emergency situation arises. He said that the Lucknow incident has made students more alert about safety measures. Singh added that regular fire drills, clear evacuation plans and awareness sessions should be made mandatory in coaching institutes.
Dehradun senior superintendent of police Pramendra Dobal said that such incidents have been reported in the past as well and highlighted that in Lucknow, lack of proper fire safety audits led to serious consequences. He said that Dehradun Police is reviewing coaching centres especially those operating in residential buildings to check compliance with fire safety norms. Dobal added that the Uttarakhand Fire and Emergency Service is also expected to conduct safety audits of coaching institutes and educational establishments to ensure proper arrangements are in place.Dehradun chief fire officer Abhinav Tyagi said, “In view of the recent fire incident in Lucknow, we have intensified our safety measures and inspections. We regularly conduct fire safety audits but after this incident our focus has increased further. Apart from this, we conduct audits of all high-rise and commercial buildings to ensure compliance with fire safety norms. Last month alone, we carried out inspections of more than 200 buildings and compiled a consolidated report,” he said.
