Grand Hotel blaze: Fire hydrants to be inspected

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 11

As low water pressure in hydrant in front of the main gate of Grand Hotel had caused delay in extinguishing fire in the Mayo block of the hotel, inspection of hydrants is being ordered by the Fire Department.

It was found that incomplete information was given regarding the fire hydrants which had low pressure.

The fire brigade staff, which conducted periodical inspection in January, did not point it out and, therefore, the inspection of hydrants was being ordered, said ADGP and Director, Fire Services, Atul Verma.

Officials would follow the regular format for inspection of all hydrants in the town and give a report, said Verma.

The report would also mention the follow-up details with the Municipal Corporation on defective hydrants, he said.

The Fire Department staff did not mention anything about low pressure and explanation of members of the inspection team would be sought, the ADGP added.

There are 638 hydrants in the town which include 244 in the area covered under The Mall, 225 in Chhota Shimla and 169 in Boileauganj.

Tenders for improvement of 167 hydrants had been invited and improvement of 100 hydrants was in the pipeline, said sources in the SJPN.

Experts pointed out that old building were more vulnerable to fire, but there was no separate plan to protect these buildings.

The mushrooming of concrete structures, which chokes the passage, was another challenge for fire tenders.