On the 15th anniversary of the tragic Carlton Towers fire in Bengaluru, the Karnataka government has taken a significant step towards fire safety awareness by declaring February 23 as Fire Accident Awareness and Prevention Day. A directive has been issued to all fire stations in the state to conduct annual awareness programmes aimed at preventing future tragedies.
The directive mandates that fire stations organise awareness sessions in schools, colleges, hospitals, nursing homes, commercial buildings, offices, malls, and other high-density locations. This year, particular focus is being placed on simulated fire drills and educational lectures on school and college campuses.
"This is not just about remembering a tragedy but ensuring it never happens again," a senior fire department official said in a press meeting, adding, “By institutionalising fire safety education, we hope to make citizens prepared and responsible."
Additionally, all fire stations have been instructed to observe a two-minute silence in memory of the nine people who lost their lives in the Carlton Towers fire on February 23, 2010, as well as other victims of fire accidents across the state.
The announcement coincides with Beyond Carlton’s 15th year memorial event, which included discussions on fire hazards, residential safety, and youth awareness. The event also saw the launch of Aag Se Aage Raho, a campaign promoting fire safety preparedness.
RA Venkitachalam, trustee of Beyond Carlton, emphasised the urgency of improving fire safety measures, stating, "Electrical malfunctions and kitchen gas explosions remain two of the biggest fire hazards in India. We need better coordination between departments to ensure fire prevention, not just fire response, is prioritised."
The event also honoured firefighters from the Karnataka Fire and Emergency Services. Uday Vijayan, managing trustee and president of Beyond Carlton, stressed the need for continued advocacy, saying, "Fire safety is not just the government’s responsibility. It starts at home, in our offices, in our schools. We need collective awareness and action."
With the government's directive now in place, authorities hope to make fire safety education a permanent fixture in public awareness efforts, ensuring that tragedies like the Carlton Towers fire serve as a lesson for future generations.