Hyderabad: Hyderabad regional fire officers said two to three fire accidents per day, most of which were attributed to human error or short circuits.
“Due to the flammable nature of its cargo, tankers pose greater risks,” said an official from Telangana Disaster Response and Fire Services (TGDRFS).
According to TGDRFS, Hyderabad reported 5407 accidents until May, with 50 of them being the main incidents. Of the 5,407 aircraft, a large number of fires were caused by oil storage facilities and tankers.
“The surge in tanker train accidents in Hyderabad reminds people of the risks of unsafe handling and storing highly flammable materials in urban locations,” said the man working in the refueling bunker.
He added: “While rapid action by fire services has prevented the massive tragedy so far, these incidents have revealed serious gaps in regulatory enforcement, industrial security and urban planning.”
When inquiry failed, TGDRFS officials said the department stepped up inspections of tanker codes and private fuel storage facilities.
“The department also urged amendments to the Telangana Fire Services Act of 1999 to provide fire safety certification for all commercial organizations, not just high-rise buildings,” a TGDRFS official said.
He added: “The tanker carries highly flammable materials and cannot be left unattended in public places.”
To prevent future events, the department is taking few precautions, such as claiming that designated tanker parking lots are away from residential areas. Driver training is also encouraged in case of fire response and handling emergencies.
Fire department officials stressed the importance of regular safety audits, proper flammable materials and the importance of following fire safety codes to prevent such disasters. The fire department urges industrial and transport companies to install functional fire equipment and perform dill to ensure preparation.
Authorities say targeted reforms combined with public cooperation are crucial to preventing greater tragedies.
