40 Covid hosps issued fire-safety notices

Fire audit reveals that some had no fire NOC; others were asked to make changes in fire safety system in a week

Forty Covid-designated hospitals in the city have been issued notices, and given a week’s time to comply with fire safety norms. Meanwhile, even three days later, no FIR has been filed in the case yet.

Following the fire at Shrey hospital which claimed eight innocent lives, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation had ordered a fire audit of all 72 Covid- 19 designated hospitals in the city.

During investigation, it came to light that Shrey hospital had no fire NOC. According to sources, the fire department visited the hospitals and found that some had no fire NOC while others had applied for NOC but had not received it. Yet, others were asked to make changes in their fire safety system. After visiting all the hospitals, notices were issued to 40 hospitals.

Meanwhile, ACP (B-Division) L B Zala who is investigating the case said statements of relatives of Covid-19 patients admitted at Shrey hospital as well as those of the medical staff had been taken by police department on Friday. He added, “The FSL report is yet to come. The team to check the electrical system visited the hospital on Friday. The team will check whether the wires used were of sub-standard quality, or if had adequate load-bearing capacity, and other aspects. Once both the FSL and electrical reports are submitted, the decision to file an FIR will be taken.”

Amajor fire broke out in the ICCU of Shrey hospital on Thursday in which eight Covid-19 patients lost their lives. Navrangpura police has filed an accidental death report.

It has been learnt that eight policemen of Navrangpura police station who were involved in the rescue at Shrey hospital have been sent to quarantine. According to police, the team had helped rescue Covid-19 patients. Later, two cops developed fever and cough due to which all eight have undergone Covid test and sent to home quarantine. Thirty-five firemen, who battled the blaze at Shrey, also underwent rapid antigen testing at Memnagar fire station on Saturday. These personnel, as well as additional chief fire officer Rajesh Bhatt, are currently in self-isolation. Meanwhile, Chief Fire Officer MF Dastoor was not reachable for comments on the case.