In the early hours of the morning of 23rd May 2024 at 6am, the car-cleaners pressed hard on the doorbells of several residents of D Block, alerting them of an outbreak of fire in the adjacent Dry-cleaning shop at the South City1 Arcade. It was seen spreading towards the set-back where there were seven heavy diesel generators, along with a diesel tank and garbage, all of which were placed there against norms. These illegally placed generators etc pose a huge threat to the adjacent residential houses in D Block.
Sanjay Mittal (D122) and Ved Prakash (D 128) and Deepak Sharma (Vill Silokhra behind main marker Central Avenue) were among the early responders. The Fire Brigade was called and Ved Prakash the Senior town Planner GMDA, even broke open the lock on the gate of the shop.
There was a short circuit in the compressor of the clothes-iron and the air-conditioner caught fire. The situation worsened with all the clothes getting caught in the blaze.
This is the second instance of a fire in the market area and it has come to note that there is gross negligence by the shop owners as no FIRE NOCs have been obtained since the building was handed over to MCG and the Owners by Unitech long ago.
A letter of complaint was sent by the residents of D Block to the Commissioner MCG, Director Fire Service Haryana, District Fire Officer Gurugram, SHO Sector 40 Gurugram, and Fire safety Officer, Fire station Sector 29 Gurugram, among others.
In the hope that this proves to be a red alert towards maintaining fire-safety standards, let us all be cautious against continuous and prolonged use of air-conditioners, and keep fire extinguishers in our homes as well.
As it is, the scorching heat is taking the sap out of us, so let us be vigilant and take all the necessary precautions so as not to expose ourselves and our neighbours to threats of fire -outbreaks.
