Woman dies of asphyxiation after fire breaks out in condominium

Gurugram: The untimely death of Swati Garg, the mother of a four-year-old, was a tragedy that was waiting to happen. In the wee hours of Monday, Swati breathed her last due to suffocation after a fire broke out at a condominium society.

The fire broke out at the electrical meter of the building on the ground floor and spread through the electrical shaft. Although the fire remained restricted to the shaft, the smoke spread to fire-escape staircase area. In the process, Swati who found herself trapped at the terrace and died due to asphyxiation. The firefighters found the body lying outside the terrace when they arrived on the site.

Subsequently, FIR under Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been filed by the aggrieved family against the builder and the facility management company.

"Although the fire remained restricted to the shaft, the smoke seeped out into the fire-escape staircase area as a result of which the victim may have died due to suffocation," said a senior official from the Fire Department.

According to the officials, the fire department issued notices to 200 high-rise commercial and residential buildings in the city for not renewing their fire NOC. High-rises in the city have been categorised as buildings that are over 15 meters in height. Over the years, a large number of commercial structures and residential societies that house lakhs of residents have come up in the city.

Taking cognisance of ignoring the safety of the citizens, the fire department officials have even warned the builders of action if they are going to ignore the safety norms. Most of the builders have to renew the fire safety license after every one year. The fire department officials mention that most of them have not renewed their license for more than two years.

As per the law, major establishments in the city have to renew their licenses after every year. However, many establishments in the city do not renew their licenses and continue to play with the lives of the people in the city.

"While the fire department is expected to take action, even the residents must put pressure on these establishments," said a senior official from the fire department.