10-year-old Girl and Father Killed in Jiyaguda Fire Accident

The building was used as a wholesale furniture manufacturing warehouse for a store in Mangalhat on the ground and first floors, and as a 20-person residential building on the second and third floors.

A 10-year-old girl and her father were killed, while five others sustained injuries after a fire broke out in a four-storied manufacturing warehouse-cum-residential building in Venkatesh Nagar of Jiyaguda, Hyderabad.

The deceased was identified as Shiva Priya, who was staying in a penthouse apartment in the building with her family. She died early on Wednesday while undergoing treatment in Osmania General Hospital. Her father, Sreenivasa, also succumbed to burn injuries. Her mother, Nagarani, is reported to be in critical condition.

According to a fire control official, the distress call was received at the fire control room at 1:23 a.m., and six fire tenders were sent to the spot. After about eight hours, firefighting operations are still underway.

“About 20 people were trapped in the second and third floors of the building; 14 were rescued safely,” Langar Houz SFO P. Dutta said. “As per initial investigation, a short circuit in the manufacturing unit on the ground floor is suspected to be the cause. However, an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire,” the official said.

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The ground and first floors of the building were being used as a wholesale furniture manufacturing warehouse for a store in Mangalhat, while the second and third floors were being used for residential purposes with 20 people, including two families and bachelors residing.

Prioritizing Fire Safety: Lessons from the Jiyaguda Fire Accident

This tragic Jiyaguda fire accident serves as a harsh reminder of the critical need for stringent fire safety measures in mixed-use buildings. Ensuring the safety of both commercial and residential occupants requires rigorous adherence to fire safety protocols and regulations.

Implementing Fire Safety Measures: 

Fire safety protocols must be strictly implemented to prevent catastrophic events like the Jiyaguda fire accident.

• Conducting thorough fire risk assessments and audits regularly.
• Proper storage, handling, and disposal of combustible materials as per fire code regulations.
• Installing comprehensive fire protection systems, including fire alarms, smoke detectors, and sprinklers.
• Ensuring effective compartmentalization through fire-rated doors, walls, and partitions to contain fire spread.
• Maintaining clear and unobstructed evacuation routes and emergency exits.
• Providing adequate fire extinguishers and training personnel in their proper usage.
• Developing and implementing a comprehensive fire safety plan with regular drills and staff training.

Role of IGNICOP® in Enhancing Fire Safety: 

In addition to these measures, adopting advanced fire safety monitoring solutions like IGNICOP® can significantly enhance safety. IGNICOP® is an Early Warning Apparatus and Communication System (EWACS) introduced by Basic Elements. This pioneering solution continuously monitors the health of fire safety systems in real-time, reducing risk velocity and ensuring immediate response in case of deviations. By tracking fire alarms and pressure levels, IGNICOP® instantly notifies stakeholders and first responders via SMS and phone calls within seconds.

Benefits of IGNICOP®:

• Continuous Monitoring: Ensures the ongoing health monitoring of installed fire safety systems, effectively minimizing risk at all times.
• System Status Tracking: Provides a comprehensive health assessment by keeping a close watch on fire alarms and pressure levels.
• Instant Alerts: Triggers immediate notifications to four stakeholders/first responders through SMS within 5 seconds, followed by phone calls in 10 seconds.
• Dashboard Accessibility: Users can conveniently check the status and monitor multiple sites through the user-friendly Admin Dashboard.
• Central Communication Hub: Serves as the central hub of a robust and scalable fire and life-safety communications system, incorporating advanced technology that is both intelligent and configurable.
• Saving Lives and Property: Acts as a guardian, protecting lives and valuable assets during fire incidents.
• Reducing Risk Velocity: Swift response reduces the loss of critical components, ensuring minimal damage.
• Enhancing Resilience: Businesses gain resilience, effectively responding to critical fire accidents.
• Mitigating Legal Liabilities: Compliance with industry standards reduces legal risks and liabilities.
• Ensuring Business Continuity: Minimal downtime is ensured, promoting seamless business operations.
• Promoting Operational Excellence: Contributes to operational efficiency and excellence.
• Eco-Friendly: Contributes to reducing the carbon footprint, aligning with environmental responsibilities.

If IGNICOP® had been in place at the Jiyaguda fire accident site, it could have provided early warnings and real-time monitoring, potentially preventing the fire from escalating to such a tragic extent. The swift alerts and continuous monitoring might have allowed for a quicker response, safeguarding the lives and property of the residents.

Conclusion 

Fire safety measures may seem costly at first, but their benefits far outweigh the costs. The recent Jiyaguda fire accident highlights the urgent need for robust fire safety protocols. During a fire, human lives can be lost, severe injuries can occur, extensive property damage can happen, business disruptions may arise, and legal liabilities can result.

Establishments can reap numerous benefits by prioritizing fire safety, including safeguarding lives, protecting property, ensuring business continuity, maintaining compliance, enhancing value, and fostering a sense of security. Basic Elements provides comprehensive fire safety assessments and solutions. Make sure you act before it’s too late. Ensure that your people, property, and business are protected from the devastating effects of fires by taking proactive steps. The Jiyaguda fire accident is a stark reminder of why fire safety is a priority today—safeguard your future with it. Schedule a fire safety assessment with Basic Elements to ensure your establishment is fully prepared to prevent and respond to fire emergencies.