LAHORE, May 24: The inquiry report of the LDA Plaza fire merely mentions how the tragedy took place and the responsibility for criminal negligence (if any) will be fixed by the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team.

The report was discussed by Caretaker Chief Minister Najam Sethi on Friday. The institutions concerned would take action after another inquiry by the CMIT.

For the time being, he ordered a complete survey of all big buildings in Lahore to check possibilities of such incidents. The LDA and the City District Government should ensure availability of fire-fighting equipment, emergency exit, inspection of electricity wires and other safety arrangements within their respective jurisdictions. He also ordered immediate steps for the capacity building of the Rescue 1122.

The inquiry committee in its report has, meanwhile, recommended that in view of the dilapidated condition of the LDA Plaza, its seventh, eighth and ninth floors should be demolished. It said there was a lack of coordination among various departments during the rescue operation.

Old electricity wires and a lack of their maintenance were the cause of fire. Moreover, rescue operation through helicopters was hampered by the towers installed at the rooftop of the plaza, the report said.

It said safety arrangements at the plaza to meet any emergency situation were not satisfactory. Similarly, there was no arrangement for the emergency exit of the people trapped in the building.

The committee has recommended strict enforcement of the existing laws to check recurrence of such incidents in future.