CHANDIGARH: The fire and emergency services department has submitted a comprehensive report on the significant fire that erupted in a commercial building located in Sector 22-B on Wednesday afternoon. The report concludes that the top floor has suffered considerable cracking and is unsafe for any use. Damage to the building is extensive, with a short circuit identified as the likely cause of the fire, which took nearly four hours to extinguish.
The report reveals that the upper floor of the two-storey structure has developed serious cracks due to the intense heat from the fire. This damage is severe enough to make the floor unfit for occupancy. Officials have strongly recommended a thorough engineering evaluation of the building to assess its structural integrity. The fire department has advised against any entry into the building, even for debris removal, due to potential risks from the compromised structure.
According to the report, materials on the first and second floors have either been completely burned or damaged, leaving only the ground floor in a safe condition. The fire department noted that the level of destruction on the upper floors emphasized the intensity of the fire and the added hazards introduced by structural cracks and the considerable amount of water used during firefighting efforts.
Inspectors reported that the combination of significant cracks on the top floor and the extensive water usage—estimated between 200,000 and 225,000 liters—necessitates a detailed evaluation by a structural engineer. “Due to the severity of the cracks and the large volume of water deployed during the nearly four-hour firefighting operation, only a structural engineer can determine the building’s viability for occupancy. Immediate use of the building will rely on the structural integrity report. Initial assessments suggest a short circuit as the cause, though further verification is required,” sources informed TOI.
The fire department’s report clarified that the two adjacent buildings—on either side of the affected structure—are completely safe. A thorough physical inspection confirmed that these buildings sustain no damage and can continue normal operations. Officials stated that the rapid response from firefighting personnel prevented the fire from spreading and safeguarded nearby properties. “Keeping neighboring buildings safe was a significant challenge, but timely intervention ensured no damage occurred,” sources confirmed.
The affected building housed seven tenants, including a photo lab and mobile phone accessory shops, with businesses on each floor. All materials on the first and second floors were destroyed in the fire, leading to substantial losses.
In terms of firefighting operations, the report states that the department deployed 12 vehicles, including fire tenders and hydraulic machines, with dozens of firefighters involved over the nearly four-hour battle to control the blaze. The scale of the operation reflected the seriousness of the incident and the difficulty in accessing the upper floors where the damage was most severe.
Inderjeet Singh, joint MC commissioner and chief fire officer (CFO), emphasized the necessity for caution regarding the building’s condition. “The inspection revealed cracks, thus we have advised building owners and occupants to engage a structural engineer for a thorough evaluation of the building’s integrity. Until that assessment is completed, access to the building is prohibited,” Singh stated.
He also mentioned that advisories will soon be distributed to commercial establishments in the area, ensuring they have adequate measures in place for fire-related emergencies. Singh reiterated that the prompt and coordinated actions of firefighting personnel played a crucial role in preventing the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings.
Aftermath of the Fire:
- The report indicates that the top floor of the Sector 22-B commercial building has suffered major cracks and is unsafe for use.
- Both first and second floors experienced complete material damage, with only the ground floor remaining intact.
- No entry into the building is advised until a structural engineer conducts a thorough assessment.
- A preliminary investigation points to a short circuit being the probable cause of the fire that lasted nearly four hours.
- Approximately 200,000 to 225,000 liters of water were used alongside 12 firefighting vehicles during operations.
- There were seven tenants in the building operating businesses, including a photo lab and mobile accessories shops.
- Fire officials confirmed that adjacent buildings sustained no damage and remain safe.
- CFO Inderjeet Singh mentioned that new advisories will be issued to ensure commercial properties are prepared for fire emergencies.
