Hyderabad fire department to launch awareness drive after Gulzar Houz tragedy

After the Gulzar Houz fire that killed 17 people, Telangana fire officials are launching bi-weekly awareness programs in the Old City. Citizens are being urged to equip homes and shops with firefighting tools and cooperate with fire personnel during emergencies

Hyderabad: Following the fire incident at Gulzar Houz that claimed 17 lives last month, the fire department has decided to conduct large-scale fire prevention awareness programs in the Old City.

Officials of the Telangana Fire Disaster Response Emergency and Civil Defence will organize the programs for market associations, residential associations, auto-rickshaw drivers, local social workers, and social organizations.

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“The programs will be organized twice a week to make citizens aware of the necessity of fire prevention and firefighting techniques,” T Venkanna, District Fire Officer, Hyderabad, told Telangana Today.

The fire officials explained the need for every house and shop to have fire-fighting equipment to use in case a fire breaks out. “Smoke alarms, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers are mandatory at educational institutions, markets, commercial complexes, and apartment buildings. At homes, depending on the plinth area, fire extinguishers should be kept, and family members should be trained in firefighting,” he explained.

In view of the rise in fire incidents in the Old City, fire department officials said people should promptly inform the department in case of a fire. “The public can start efforts to control the fire. They should not be under the impression that they don’t need firemen to put out the fire. While you are putting in effort to douse the fire, we will reach the place, even if it is a small fire,” said the official.

The fire department personnel suggested that in case of a fire mishap, people should vacate the area and never lock the door leading to the building’s terrace for fear of burglars. “If doors to the staircase are locked, people will not be able to rush to the terrace and escape. They will die because of this negligent act,” said the official.

Officials asked citizens not to disturb fire personnel during firefighting operations and to vacate the area to allow fire tenders to reach the spot and carry out their work. Otherwise, the operations get delayed and hamper the firemen’s efforts to control the blaze.