On a day another major blaze was reported — at Nagarjuna Agrichem Limited in Srikakulam — a top fire department official said almost all industrial premises in the state have failed to get fire-safety mechanism as prescribed by the department and the National Building Code. “Almost 99 per cent industrial premises do not have the No Objection Certificate (from the fire department). Even Nagarjuna Agrichem didn’t have the NOC,” P. Venkateshwar, director, Fire and Emergency Services, AP, said on Saturday.
Though the department is aware of this shortcoming, Mr Venkatesh-war said, they cannot effect any changes with the limited manpower and infrastructure available. Officials said there hasn’t been any recruitment in the state fire department in the last three decades. “It’s very difficult with the existing manpower and infrastructure to ensure the (industrial units) have fire-safety measures,” Mr Venkateshwar said. “The municipal authorities shouldn’t issue occupancy certificates to an owner or firm to occupy a building without the fire NOC.” The department has had a steady headcount of personnel from 1983 — a constant 5,000, including firemen, leading firemen and Station Fire Officers.