Bhubaneswar: A week after the horrific Goa nightclub fire tragedy that claimed at least 25 lives, a massive fire broke out at ‘No Limit Air’ restaurant in Satya Vihar area here Friday morning, destroying properties worth over Rs 1.5 crore, though no casualties or injuries were reported in the incident.
Sources said, Fire Services department received information regarding the fire around 9am, following which several fire tenders were rushed to the spot. It took almost an hour to control the blaze. “The incident, however, exposed the illegality going on inside the bar when charred beer cans were spotted inside the premises. The restaurant was providing alcohol without possessing a Bar licence,” said a source. “A month ago, we received allegations that the restaurant was serving liquor without having a Bar licence. Our squad raided the eatery but did not find any liquor. If we find the restaurant’s involvement in illegal liquor service, we will take strict action,” said Bhubaneswar Excise Superintendent Debashish Patel.
Fire Services DG Sudhanshu Sarangi said, “We have instructed the officials concerned to conduct a review on these kinds of establishments to find out if they are operating with proper fire safety licence and protocol, and submit a report in 10-15 days. Strict action will be taken as per the report.” Meanwhile, locals have flagged concerns over the operational hours of the restaurant, with some saying the bar operates till dawn and that people go to that restaurant for alcohol and hookah. “People keep coming to the restaurant even after 12pm. Months ago, a fight broke out at the restaurant where a youth was attacked with a knife,” said a resident.
However, Faisal Khan, business partner of the restaurant, clarified that the incident occurred when it was closed. “We informed the fire tenders as soon as we came to know about the fire,” he added. “Properties worth Rs 1.5 crore were gutted in this incident. We had fireproof infrastructure, along with the necessary license to run the restaurant. We are yet to know how the fire broke out,” he said. A probe is on to find out the source of the fire and whether the restaurant had a fire safety licence.
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PNN
