A file photo of an inspection of fire hydrants at Vasco market.
VASCO
The devastating fire that gutted around 140 shops at the Sunday Modern Market in Vasco has raised serious questions over fire safety preparedness at the densely packed commercial complex, with several fire hydrants installed at regular intervals reportedly lying non-functional when they were needed the most.
Ironically, the very infrastructure intended to help tackle fires in the congested market failed to provide the expected support during Wednesday night's blaze, which reduced scores of shops to ashes and left traders facing massive losses just days before Diwali.
Fire hydrants have been installed at regular intervals within the market complex, recognising the potential danger posed by a fire in an area where numerous shops operate in close proximity. However, the reported non-functioning of several hydrants has brought the maintenance and operational readiness of these critical safety installations into question.
In a market where a fire can rapidly spread from one shop to another, functional hydrants can play a crucial role in providing firefighters with access to water and helping contain flames before they engulf neighbouring establishments. Their effectiveness, however, depends on regular inspection, maintenance and immediate availability during emergencies.
The scale of Wednesday night's destruction has made the issue particularly significant. With around 140 shops gutted, the fire has caused extensive damage to merchandise, stock and other materials, dealing a severe blow to traders who depend on the market for their livelihood.
For shopkeepers, the immediate concern is the loss of their businesses and the challenge of rebuilding after the disaster. The alleged failure of fire safety infrastructure, meanwhile, raises a larger question about whether the necessary preventive measures were adequately maintained in a busy commercial establishment.
The incident has also brought the focus back on the need for periodic fire safety audits of markets and other crowded commercial complexes. Installing fire hydrants alone cannot guarantee protection unless the systems are regularly tested and kept operational. Any shortcomings must be identified and rectified before an emergency occurs, rather than after a fire has already caused extensive destruction.
The authorities concerned will now need to examine the condition of the hydrants, establish why several were reportedly non-functional and fix responsibility for any lapses in maintenance. For Vasco's market traders, who are now counting their losses, the fire has been a devastating setback. The condition of the hydrants has added another troubling dimension to the tragedy. Fire safety infrastructure is meant to prevent a disaster from escalating. At the Vasco market, questions over its readiness have emerged after the flames have already done their damage.
