Audit by fire and rescue dept. flags safety gaps in Ernakulam civil station complex

The Fire and Rescue Services department has flagged a series of safety risks at the Ernakulam civil station complex, the seat of the district administration, that need immediate attention.

A report submitted to the authorities a fortnight ago has highlighted the need to restore certain fire safety installations, including hydrants, in the sprawling administrative complex. The five-storey building, which houses several offices, is frequented by hundreds of people seeking various services daily.

The latest safety audit assumes significance in the wake of a series of fire accidents reported from different parts of the district, with the major blaze that gutted Koder House, a 218-year-old heritage building in Fort Kochi, being the latest.

Some of the alarm systems were found to be faulty. The report also stressed the need to clear exit routes that were found to be obstructed. It suggested replacing electrical installations that had expired and fixing lifts that were found to be dysfunctional.

The department conducted the safety audit following a request from the Estate Committee of the civil station, chaired by the Additional District Magistrate. The request was made in July, and the site inspection was conducted in September.

Sources with the department said no serious lapses were detected during the safety audit and that only corrective measures to strengthen the existing fire safety infrastructure had been suggested.

The district administration has not confirmed receiving the report. “The safety audit was ordered as such an exercise had been pending for a while, and all the required steps will be taken based on the outcome of the audit,” a key official said.

A minor fire occurred in a GST office on the third floor of the civil station in 2024, destroying files, furniture and computers. A short circuit was reportedly cited as the cause of the fire.