Emergency exits remained locked on day of fire despite written complaint that underlined the dangers of doing so
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Carlton management ignored warning ten days ago
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Emergency exits remained locked on day of fire despite written complaint that underlinedu00a0 the dangers of doing so
Were owners of Carlton Towers mindful of the impending disaster 11 days ago? Yes, say records of the Carlton Towers Owners Association. MiD DAY, which had access to the complaint book on Wednesday in CTOA office premises, a day after the fire took nine lives, found that one of the owners had expressed concerns.u00a0
Fire exit gates
A note in the complaint book of Carlton Towers Owners Association (CTOA), had cautioned the association about the fire exit gates not being locked, besides anticipating a fire emergency that would trigger any moment.u00a0
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Ordeal by fire: The police have booked all members of the Carlton Towers Owners Association under Sec 304 (A) of the IPC. Pic/Vinod Kumar T |
"The fire exit gates must always be kept open. You never know when it will be used in an emergency. Can't wait to call security," said a complaint registered by an unknown person (whose signature is not readable and does not mention his connection with Carlton Towers), on February 12, 2010.
Warned
The complaint book, maintained by owners of Carlton Towers to record grievances of clients and owners working in the building, had cast doubts on adequate safety measures carried out by CTOA, besides anticipating an impending fire tragedy.
Such complaints, an Acer Company employee pointed out, were registered as part of routine process of addressing grievances.
"We usually write down our grievances in the book or talk to the maintenance people," said Suresh, a Carlton Towers employee. "They get it done." But the complaint recorded on 12 February unlike others, is uncommon, as it had raised concern over a possible fire emergency and had cautioned to keep fire exits open.u00a0
However, the association didn't take any measures to keep open the fire exits despite a small fire, five months ago in basement, allege those working here.u00a0
The police, who have booked all members of the association under Sec 304 (a) of IPC, said they were not aware of the complaint in the book.
"I'm not aware of this," said D Kumar, inspector, Jeevan Bheemanagar police station. "The investigations are on. That's all I can say now."
Members of the CTOA, booked for negligence resulting in death, by Jeevan Bheemanagar police were not available for comment.
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