Hospital lacks fire NOC; DM orders investigation

Noida: Following the fire incident at Metro Hospital in Sector 12, the matter under complete scanner has showcased unacceptable revelations. Not only the hospital management but also fire department were found equally responsible for the accident.

It has been found that the hospital didn't possess a fire NOC at the time of incident while the fire fighting equipments were also not updated and properly working. Even at the time of rescue operation, the staffers were seen breaking the window panes with defunct fire fighting equipments instead of using them to douse flames.

According to the fire officials, the district fire department had not issued NOC to the hospital after 2017 as they failed to meet the basic necessary formalities.

"Earlier we had issued a fire NOC to the hospital in 2017 which lasted till 2018. The hospital had then applied for the NOC in 2018 but after an inspection done by fire department, several loopholes came to light and the application was rejected."

"We had issued them notices to make sure that they obey the new building by-laws and other necessary guidelines before they reapply. However, at the time of fire incident the hospital was completing their necessary formalities" said Kuldeep Kumar, Fire Safety Officer, Noida.

This sheer negligence of the fire department and the hospital could have caused a havoc as they risked life of several patients admitted there.

Even the fire department didn't pay heed to the lack of fire fighting arrangements and allowed the operations at hospital instead the operations should have stopped till the guidelines were met.

It was quite fortunate that no casualty was reported during the fire incident but raised concerns that such a renowned hospital of the National Capital Region where highly sensitive patients with cardiac issues are treated, lacks in fire clearance.

Meanwhile, the District Magistrate of Gautam Buddh Nagar ordered a Magistrate enquiry into the matter and formed a team who will probe the matter and present a report within fifteen days.

Earlier also in April 2017, six person including the director of a private company were charred to death after a massive fire broke out at a LED manufacturing company in sector 11 of Noida.

The matter also highlighted the lack of fire NOC and building by-laws while they documents also got passed with the involvement of few authority and fire officials without any inspection being

done.