Team Herald
PANJIM: Former Director of Fire and Emergency Services Dr P K John on Wednesday said that the companies should have periodic checks for functional fitness of the fire fighting systems and the evacuation system should be tested from time-to-time, in order to avoid infernos such as the Berger Becker massive fire incident at the Pilerne Industrial Estate that occurred on Tuesday.
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Dr John said the workers in such companies should be trained on how to react to situations. He also recalled that in 2005 or 2006, the Berger paints company unit had caught fire at Kundaim Industrial Estate and that they had been warned to take safety measures.
The Berger Becker Paint company inferno at Pilerne on Tuesday put many lives at risk, including that of near and far neighbourhoods and many families had to be evacuated besides the State government issuing health advisory.
The thick smoke of carbon monoxide could be even visible from several kilometres away and as far as Panjim.
Stating that functional fitness of firefighting equipment has to be checked, Dr John said, “As human beings we have to respect fire and take ample precautions. We have to be very careful of carbon monoxide since smoke is dangerous.”
When asked about precautions to be taken for small establishments and homes, he said the same precautions are to be taken for both — big and small units. People should be trained how to react, and there is a need to practice fire drills.
