The Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department has requested various hotels and restaurants in the twin cities to ensure that haleem bhattis are located on the ground floor only and preferably be located outside the building in an open area.
It issued a set of regulations for setting up haleem bhattis a day before the season begins in view of the collapse of City Light Hotel in Secunderabad three years ago, where 17 people lost their lives because of setting up of the same on the second floor increasing the load on the upper floors.
“The heat generated had weakened the structure of the building and resulted in the collapse,” top officials of the Fire Department recalled.
They have now advised hotels and other places making haleem to see that two drums of water and two fire extinguishers of six kilos each are kept near the bhattis .
Assuring that the Fire Department will be on alert and available round the clock for responding to any emergency calls, the fire service officials also urged the citizens to be alert and inform the department if they notice any haleem bhattis on the upper floors or in any other unsafe places.
The department has also called upon owners of old and dilapidated buildings to either vacate the place altogether in view of the heavy rains expected in the coming days or take up repairs with necessary support structure as per the advice of qualified structural engineers.
For any emergencies, citizens can dial fire control room – 101.
“Ensure two drums of water and two fire extinguishers of six kilos each are kept near the bhattis”
