PUNE: A recent fire incident in a Pune housing society has triggered a heightened response from the fire brigade, revealing a troubling pattern of negligence in residential complexes across Maharashtra. Following a fire in an electricity meter box on May 18, the Pune Fire Brigade issued an official notice due to several safety violations.
The blaze, reportedly ignited by a short circuit, was swiftly extinguished. However, an inspection afterwards uncovered alarming safety non-compliance. The city’s chief fire officer noted that the meter room was obstructed, hindering emergency access. Additionally, the society was found lacking essential firefighting tools, including extinguishers and sand buckets, which are mandated by state laws.
“We have started sending notices to societies that do not comply with safety regulations,” a fire brigade official stated, emphasizing that electrical repairs should only be carried out by government-approved licensed contractors.
This incident is part of a broader crisis in Maharashtra. SS Warick, the state director of fire services, remarked to TOI that despite stringent updates to the Maharashtra Fire Services Act, maintenance of safety measures remains significantly inadequate.
“To keep systems operational, the law requires the submission of ‘Form B’ every January and July,” Warick explained. “This certificate, issued by a licensed agency, verifies that firefighting systems are in good working order. Unfortunately, most property owners and residents are neglecting this duty.”
The Fire Safety Act was revised in May 2023, introducing real-time monitoring and audits for buildings over 30 meters tall and residential towers exceeding 70 meters. Despite having more than 800 licensed fire safety agencies in the state, adherence to these regulations remains low.
A senior official estimated that out of nearly 200,000 housing societies in Maharashtra, many are unaware of these legal obligations. “Numerous representatives are not even informed about the existence of these norms, let alone how to appoint an inspection agency,” the official added.
In densely populated cities like Pune, Mumbai, and Thane, officials caution that a lack of preparedness could turn minor electrical issues into serious disasters. Under the Act, all buildings, including those constructed before the law’s enactment in 2008, are required to maintain firefighting systems and submit biannual compliance reports.
