A couple of days after the Usman road flyover was opened, a leading newspaper had reported that it would pose a serious problem to firefighters. None thought then that it would be put to test in a fortnight!

The conflagration that engulfed the Ranganathan Street on Monday could have been less devastating, had the roads been free for firefighters to arrive on time. The flyover should have been constructed only after acquiring firefighting helicopters to spray the possible flames. Cooling the building took an unduly long time mainly owing to the difficulty faced by the firefighters in finding access.



That said, the fire has caused loss of millions of Rupees. The cost in human terms cannot be overlooked. Two are declared dead and another is still missing. Obviously, the owners cannot be absolved of their total indifference to regulations.

You don't plan a fire. It takes you by surprise. However, there are steps that one should take to avoid such disasters or even if they occur, to reduce their devastating impact.

It is not adequate to determine as to whose shoddy workmanship may have been responsible for the sparks that resulted in the inferno in question, though, of course that needs to be done. But, more importantly, what also needs to be done is to find out if anyone in authority who was supposed to inspect the premises or license the electricians had done his or her job.

Institutional indifference, administrative failure in enforcing rules and regulations, and, last but not the least, the absolutely low levels of public awareness are the key reasons behind such tragedies. Every possible precautionary measure should be taken to avoid recurrence of avoidable calamities. It is high time we created a public culture that values human beings and their lives. Till then we cannot call ourselves members of a civil society.