DFS conducts fire-safety checks; Mayor orders inspection of schools

The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) on Thursday began field inspections across hotels, nightclubs, and restaurants in the Capital to assess the functional status of their fire safety systems following the Goa nightclub fire that claimed 25 lives.

The exercise began after the DFS received a written directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). According to senior DFS officials, the MHA notice instructed all regional and assistant regional officers to conduct a thorough scrutiny of “public assembly places” ahead of the festive season.

The DFS teams fanned out across multiple zones to check whether establishments had minimum firefighting equipment, functional alarms, clearly marked escape routes, and trained staff equipped to respond in an emergency. According to DFS data, 52 hotels and 38 clubs in Delhi currently hold valid fire safety certificates.

However, officials said the rise in temporary structures, seasonal footfall, and event-related set-ups in December makes on-ground verification essential.

“We have to ensure that all establishments have working extinguishers, functional hydrants, adequate water storage, unobstructed emergency exits, and electrical systems that meet safety norms,” a DFS officer said, adding that any premises found lacking will receive immediate directions for rectification.

Meanwhile, Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh on Thursday put on hold the recognition of private schools and ordered an urgent investigation into whether newly approved institutions meet mandatory safety norms. Mr. Singh said he had received a communication from Education Committee Chairman Yogesh Verma raising “serious concern” over the manner in which recognition had been granted to private schools. “Various councillors also met me and informed me about the building structure of these schools, which affects fire safety norms and the lives of the tiny tots attending them,” the letter stated.

The Mayor directed Mr. Verma to constitute a committee of councillors to conduct on-site inspections of every school recently granted recognition. Citing the Goa fire as “an eye-opener”, Mr. Singh stated no laxity “can be tolerated in schools seeking recognition”.