Expressing shock over loss of lives of three firemen who were trying to douse fire that had broken out in a three-storey building in Talab Tillo area, Executive Member Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) J&K, Raman Suri today said that this sacrifice of firefighters will be remembered for ages. “No amount of money or job can compensate this loss but the government must immediately follow codal formalities to help families of these fire-fighters who displayed valour while doing their job fearlessly”, he added.
Raman Suri said that this incident should be an eyeopener for Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), which should immediately carryout a safety audit of all old structures including houses in old Jammu city which are prone to such accidents. There are several buildings in the old city that have outlived their lives and are crumbling but due to poor finances, people are unable to repair them. Such structures are prone to collapse and can cause loss of lives.
Raman Suri urged JMC to ask its engineers and revenue staff to immediately conduct a safety of audit of such structures and accordingly plan their strengthening to avoid any accident. Wherever necessary, the authorities must demolish abandoned and damaged buildings so that nearby structures and passerby stay safe.
The BJP leader said that bravery of the three firefighters’ is exemplary and will never be forgotten. He said that firefighters did a commendable job of responding to the emergency by reaching the spot during wee hours when fire had engulfed the old building that housed a sawmill. This incident must wake up authorities from deep slumber and all sawmills must be asked to have fresh firefighting equipment handy to avoid such incidents in future.