A devastating fire reportedly broke out at a car service centre in Verna Industrial Estate on Tuesday afternoon, causing extensive damage to 33 vehicles. The fire, which reportedly started in nearby dry grass, rapidly spread to the service centre premises, resulting in estimated losses running into crores of rupees. The fuel present in the vehicles must have augmented the fire. It was by providence that the fire did not spread to other units in the industrial estate which could have led to a major fire disaster. It is prudent to mow the grass in the vicinity regularly to prevent it from accumulating and drying out. Though there could be fire stations close to industrial estates in the state, it would be prudent to have a fire engine stationed within the premises 24X7. A fire audit needs to be carried out of all the units functioning in the industrial estate. Those units which manufacture inflammable products need to take extra precaution to prevent fires. It seems prudent to have fire hydrants installed at all the units in the industrial estate along with smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
