A devastating fire at a Bed and Breakfast building in Malviya Nagar, Delhi, resulted in 21 fatalities, following a similar blaze in Vivek Vihar that killed nine people. Locals point out the common neglect of fire safety norms by property owners and authorities, often due to maximizing space utilization. Sanreka Sharma, an eyewitness to the Vivek Vihar fire, emphasized the negligence on both sides.
Sharma noted that safety standards like having rear exits are often overlooked in favor of space utilization during construction. In both incidents, including the recent one in Malviya Nagar, locked doors and fixed windows hindered escape routes, leading to tragic outcomes. She stressed the importance of strict adherence to safety measures by both individuals and authorities to prevent such tragedies.
Residents like Navami Jha also highlighted the lack of proper safety inspections post-construction as a contributing factor to fire incidents. Jha pointed out that modifications and additions to properties without following safety protocols can lead to hazardous situations. In the case of the Malviya Nagar Bed and Breakfast, violations of building regulations, overcrowding, and limited exit points exacerbated the tragedy.
