Short-circuit causes fire in residential building on Jopling Road

LUCKNOW: Panic gripped residents of Gul Palace Apartment on Jopling Road after fire broke out due to a short-circuit in the electricity meter at 3am on Thursday. While an occupant was injured, no casualty was reported. A two-wheeler was engulfed in the flames, which caused an explosion.

The fire broke out in the electricity meter box on the ground floor. Smoke engulfed up to the third floor. "We woke up on hearing a noise," said Harsh Jaiswal. "When children started crying because of the smoke and flames, I shifted them to a nearby flat and suffered minor injuries," he added.

Mani Dwiwedi said, "It was like we were on deathbed. Everybody was screaming and crying while trying to move down," she said.

"By the time we woke up, thick smoke was billowing out," said Aagya Pal Singh. People kept on dialing for the fire brigade, but the fire was doused before help arrived, said the occupants.

The residents also complained fire-tenders arrived after an hour. "The first vehicle they sent got damaged on Jopling Road. The second arrived after an hour," said Kishan Diwedi.

The residents praised driver Naseem. "He risked his life to save us," said Mani Dviwedi.

They though blamed builder Mohammad Rizwan Ahmad and secretary Irshad Hasan for the chaos.

"Rizwan allows commercial activity in the apartment... there's a gym, tailor shop, clinic etc," said Asma Mumtaz. "The main reason for the fire was electricity overload. We tried to stop the commercial activity, but he started threatening us. Police are also not paying heed to the issue," she claimed.

Rizwan however, said he stopped interfering after the flats were sold. "The fire spread due to a scooty parked near meters," he added.

Society secretary Hassan said, "They are lying. How can I maintain the apartment when I am not getting a single penny as maintenance fees for 5-6 years."

Chief fire officer VK Singh said, "We were informed about the incident at 3.30am and our vehicle reached Jopling Road at 3.41am, but the vehicle got damaged. We sent another fire-tender, which reached Gul Apartment at 3.52am and doused the fire," he said.

Executive engineer of meter department (Lesa) SK Agarwal said meters are being supplied by various private companies and there is no procedure of annual maintenance, but companies do give warranty and guarantee. "If there is any fault in the meter, then complainant must forward a written application and the meter will be changed. Most of the apartments take single-line connection and distribute sub-meters from that line," he said.