The state government is yet to come out with strict guidelines on fire safety measures in private and commercial buildings in and around the city.
Shillong this year witnessed at least three massive fire incidents – one at the KJP Girls Higher Secondary School, Jaiaw, another when a massive fire engulfed the Janata Furniture building located inside the city’s busiest commercial hub, Police Bazar and the latest in the wee hours of Saturday when a blaze swallowed up a flour factory in Garikhana, Shillong.
It was only after the fire incident at Police Bazar that state government had then felt the need to introduce fire safety audits and other audits.
While recommendations and views from fire services officials to conduct fire safety audits was put forward and financial assistance of Rs 44 crore from the centre was sought to strengthen the fire service in the state, no other major decision has been taken so far on when the fire safety audit will begin.