Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 19 February 2024
A devastating fire broke out in the early morning hours of February 15, 2024, engulfing a part of the Havelock Country Homes Resort located on Swaraj Dweep Island. The incident resulted in severe injuries to two female tourists who had to resort to desperate measures, including jumping from the first floor, to escape the blaze. As a consequence, both tourists suffered significant injuries.
The fire not only caused harm to individuals but also inflicted substantial damage to the resort itself, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
In response to the incident, the Swaraj Dweep Police took swift action by registering a First Information Report (FIR) on February 16, 2024, against Mr. S Naveen Kumar, the General Manager of Havelock Country Homes Resort. The FIR was lodged under Sections 285 and 338 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
An investigation into the matter revealed glaring lapse in safety protocols at the resort. The report, submitted by the Officer Deputed by the SHO PS Swaraj Dweep for Enquiry, highlighted negligence on the part of Mr. S Naveen Kumar, citing the absence of adequate fire control measures in the rooms of the resort to control the fire in the initial stages of the incident.
The importance of installing comprehensive fire safety equipment, such as sprinklers, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and fire alarms, in commercial establishments, including hotel rooms, has come to the fore once again in light of this tragic event.
This incident also reignited concerns raised after a similar tragedy in 2018, where a three-year-old girl lost her life in a fire at a hotel in Dollygunj. The community’s collective memory of such incidents serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for systematic audits of all lodging facilities, hotels, and resorts across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
It falls upon the authorities of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to ensure the implementation of stringent fire safety measures in all accommodations available to tourists. Failure to do so not only jeopardises the safety of visitors but also tarnishes the reputation of the region’s vital tourism industry.
Tourism stands as the cornerstone of the economy of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, making it imperative to address safety concerns promptly and effectively to safeguard both lives and livelihoods.