Vadodara Fire and Emergency services sealed hospitals in Vadodara for operating for years without safety facilities. Despite repeated fire safety notices, the hospital authorities failed to get the NOC, and as a result, the fire brigade took action against them.
During COVID, many people lost their lives due to numerous large and small fires in Gujarat. The High Court had taken up the issue of fire safety after the incident and issued instructions. As a result, the Vadodara Fire Brigade initiated proceedings against properties that did not have fire NoCs.
Chief fire officer Parth Brahmbhatt said, “There are a total of 646 hospitals in Vadodara, out of which many hospitals don’t have a fire NoC. Notices were given to take the NOC, but the hospitals failed to meet the requirements. On Thursday, various teams of the Vadodara Fire Brigade examined hospitals and sealed around five due to lack of fire safety facilities.” He added that the operation would continue until hospitals get fire safety NoCs.
Hospitals that have been sealed would not be allowed to admit other new patients. Sub Fire Officer Nikunj Azad said that fire safety facilities were being checked in hospitals, and notices were being given if any defects were found. From Thursday morning till noon, the fire brigade sealed many hospitals. The officials said that more hospitals would be checked by evening, and hospitals that do not provide fire safety would be sealed.
