Expired fire extinguishers were found in some food stalls during a fire-safety inspection at the Nanda Devi festival grounds in Nainital, prompting an official inquiry into safety compliance.
The discovery has raised concerns about whether participating vendors are adequately prepared to respond to a fire emergency. The inspection was conducted by a fire department team reviewing safety arrangements at stalls selling food items.
Inspection identifies outdated equipment
Officials found extinguishers whose validity periods had ended. The equipment was still hanging at some stalls, despite the fire department’s review of arrangements across the festival area.
The department directed stall operators to keep their firefighting equipment in working condition. Vendors were also told to comply with the required fire-safety standards.
The findings do not establish that a fire occurred at the festival. They show that some stalls had equipment that was no longer within its stated validity period.
SDM orders investigation
SDM Nawazish Khalique took note of the issue and instructed the FAO to investigate. The inquiry will examine whether fire-safety requirements were ignored by the concerned stall operators.
Khalique said action would be taken against the relevant vendors under the applicable rules if the investigation confirms non-compliance with fire-safety standards.
The investigation will therefore determine the next official step. Until its findings are available, the reported lapse remains a matter under examination rather than a concluded violation by every stall at the festival.
Conclusion
The inspection found expired extinguishers at some Nanda Devi festival food stalls, while officials ordered vendors to maintain compliant equipment and the SDM directed the FAO to investigate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where were the expired fire extinguishers found?
They were found in some food stalls at the Nanda Devi festival grounds in Nainital.
Q. Who conducted the inspection?
A fire department team inspected the food-related stalls and reviewed their fire-safety arrangements.
Q. What instructions were given to stall operators?
They were told to keep firefighting equipment in proper condition and follow fire-safety standards.
Q. Who ordered the investigation?
SDM Nawazish Khalique ordered the FAO to investigate the matter.
Q. What action could follow the inquiry?
Action under the applicable rules could be taken if the investigation confirms that fire-safety standards were ignored.
