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KARACHI: The inquiry into last month’s fire at the City Courts’ malkhana that destroyed evidence about some of high-profile criminal cases has come to a conclusion that keeping explosive and flammable material in an unsafe environment inside the facility most probably caused the fire, it emerged on Sunday.
“Spontaneous combustion of explosive substances appears to be the most likely cause of fire due to unsafe storage of large number of explosive/flammable material,” the inquiry report said.
The inquiry team formed by Sindh IGP A.D. Khowaja to ascertain the cause of the fire was led by South DIG Azad Khan and comprising Forensic AIG Muquddus Haider and City SSP Sheeraz Nazeer.
‘45 minutes of delay in seeking permission caused spread of the fire’
The fire that erupted on April 11 had destroyed case properties and valuable record belonging to various cases of South and East districts.
The inquiry pointed out that initial firefighting efforts were carried out from the rooftop and by breaking the front window of malkhana.
“There was some delay in break opening the front door as the police station staff tried to seek permission [from the authorities concerned] for opening the seal,” said the report.
The chief fire officer in his report observed that 45 minutes of delay in seeking permission caused spread of the fire.
“As the fire spread, there were multiple explosions due to presence of large amount of explosive material, rockets, grenades and ammunition which hampered the firefighting,” said the report prepared by DIG Azad Khan.
Due to safety concerns, the clearance was slow and the bomb disposal teams of police, Rangers and Army took part in the operation.
The report pointed out that the chief fire officer could not ascertain any cause of fire while electricity inspector also ruled out short circuiting as the cause of fire.
Similarly, the team of Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA), which was invited by the Sindh IG, also ruled out short circuiting as a cause of fire.
The analysis of eight samples taken by PFSA teams did not find any ignitable liquid residue.
The report said that as per the statements of the witnesses and CCTV footages, the only gate of malkhana and windows were closed and sealed at the time of fire and no sign of intrusion or trespass was observed.
“Previous inspection reports and CCTV footages establish that the properties were kept in haphazard and disorganised manner,” revealed the report.
“Flammable and combustible material were stowed together and no separate or organised place was dedicated for safe keeping of explosive materials.”
No fire alarm or automatic fire extinguishing mechanism was installed in malkhana.
“CCTV footages show movement of mice and nocturnal insects inside malkhana which was hazardous in presence of explosives and combustible material.”
Recommendations
The inquiry also suggested a host of measures to prevent such incidents in future.
Construction of a modern building with necessary safety features and ample space, separate rooms for each district, segregating of case properties and keeping explosive material etc separately, preferably underground, were some of the measures recommended.
Other suggestions included provision of intrusion alarm, smoke detectors and automatic fire extinguishing system, installation of a CCTV system, which covers the building from all sides and computerisation of all records of case properties with back-up at a safe location.
The inquiry team also called for bringing amendments to Section 516-A of the Criminal Procedure Code for custody and disposal of property pending trial in certain cases.
Besides, it has been recommended that explosives must be disposed of at the earliest after sample testing and with permission of the court while old staff should be replaced with a well-trained persons.
Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2018
