Ahmedabad: In the wake of a fire at a coaching and animation centre in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, that claimed 15 lives, Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES) has announced a citywide fire safety audit and enforcement drive targeting coaching classes, libraries and mixed-occupancy buildings.Under the “Fire Safe Ahmedabad” campaign, AFES teams will begin inspections in the Bodakdev fire station jurisdiction from 1pm on Tuesday. The drive will focus on buildings housing educational institutions, coaching centres, libraries and other establishments where different commercial activities operate under the same roof.Fire officials said the campaign was aimed at strengthening compliance with fire safety regulations while creating awareness among students, teachers, institute operators and property owners about fire prevention, emergency response and evacuation procedures.During the inspections, officials will examine the availability and condition of fire-fighting equipment, emergency exits, occupancy levels and adherence to prescribed fire safety standards. Authorities said establishments found violating mandatory norms could face action.The move follows Monday’s fatal fire in Lucknow’s Aliganj area, where a blaze engulfed a multi-storey building housing a pet shop and clinic on the lower floors and a library-cum-coaching centre along with an animation studio on the upper floor. Most of the victims were students attending classes at the time of the fire.According to reports, panic spread after smoke filled the premises, prompting several students to take shelter in bathrooms and other enclosed spaces. Investigators are examining a possible short circuit in an air-conditioning unit as the cause of the fire, although the exact reason is yet to be established. Fire brigade personnel, along with State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, carried out rescue operations.Ahmedabad civic authorities said fire safety norms were intensified in recent years following major incidents such as the Rajkot TRP Game Zone fire and the Surat Takshashila building fire tragedy, both of which exposed serious lapses in safety compliance.
