20191112 Illegal chemical shops in Jaipur ticking time bombs
India Nov 12 2019 “Building” “Stores”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 1 to 29 Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Illegal chemical shops in Jaipur ticking time bombs
Updated: 2019–11–14
JAIPUR: The person in whose allegedly unlicensed chemical shop the fire broke out on Tuesday evening, has gone into hiding, leaving behind his shop where the chemical drums are still intact.
A fire broke out at Gopalbari at 5.30pm on Tuesday, affecting 12 shops in the vicinity. After three hours of continuous struggle, the fire brigade was able to douse the fire. However, the residents are still worried as the chemical drums haven’t been moved from the shop. Police have registered an FIR against the owner, who sold chemicals like thinner and spirit at his shop.
Rakshit Kumar, who lives across the street, said that the shop is a time bomb waiting to explode. “There are many chemical shops that are functioning in the area without licenses. The bone-chilling incident of last night has forced us to re-think on our safety. There is a house beside the shop from where the fire broke out and a man got stuck on the second floor. He was rescued through the window. Their property is badly affected,” said Rakshit.
Fire brigade officials said that they cannot move the drums as this power lies in the hands of the police officials. Whereas police officials at Vidhyakpuri police station said that they do not have any such responsibility. Divendra Meena, fire officer said that there are many chemical shops in the area that are being run without a license or any NOC.
“We are in the process of completing the investigation against the owner. If it is proved that they didn’t have a license or a NOC, then we will write to the district administration to seal the shops. A major mishap was averted on Tuesday as a big chemical godown was just behind this shop,” said Meena.
The incident has albeit revealed the fire security scenario in the city. There are hundreds of such shops and godowns functioning in the city illegally. State transport minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas also visited the area and has asked the chemical shops’ owners to move from there. “These illegal chemical godowns in the residential areas without any security measures are very dangerous. If they do not shift elsewhere, then the government will take action against them,” said Khachariyawas.
Web Source: The Times of India