Alarm Unheeded: Fire Safety Lapses in Gurugram High-Rise

A fire broke out in a ninth-floor apartment of the AC Tower in Gurugram's Antariksh Society early Sunday morning. Fortunately, no casualties occurred as the family residing in the flat was away. However, the incident has highlighted significant lapses in the society's fire safety protocols.

Residents alleged that a suspected short circuit was the cause of the blaze, which destroyed all household possessions. They further criticized poor safety measures, claiming that fire safety equipment like sprinklers failed and that the initial firefighting response was hindered due to restricted access to necessary keys.

Firefighters were finally able to control the fire after substantial delay, using two fire tenders. Residents and officials alike are now calling into question the readiness and safety measures in place, urging immediate reevaluation to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

(With inputs from agencies.)