NMC’s Fire Department seals Sai Academy building over serious fire-safety violations

Nagpur : In a strong action against violations of fire-safety norms, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s Fire and Emergency Services Department has sealed the building housing Sai Academy Tuition Classes in Jaripatka after repeated directives to comply with safety requirements were allegedly ignored.

The action was carried out on August 18 by a team from the Sugat Nagar Fire Station at a ground-plus-four-storey building located at Plot No. 19 in Adarsh Colony.

The Fire Department said the premises were being used for conducting tuition classes despite deficiencies in mandatory fire-safety arrangements, potentially putting the lives of students, teachers and others inside the building at risk.

Repeated notices ignored

According to the department, the building owner/occupier had been given several opportunities to rectify the violations.

The first notice was issued on December 5, 2025, directing the concerned persons to complete the required fire-safety measures. When compliance was not ensured, the department issued another order on February 20, 2026, directing that the building be vacated.

The authorities subsequently ordered the disconnection of electricity and water supply on April 28, 2026, but the directions were allegedly not followed.

With the violations continuing despite repeated notices and enforcement directions, the Fire Department finally proceeded to seal the premises.

During inspection, officials found that tin-shed structures had been erected from the ground floor up to the third floor as well as on the terrace, and these spaces were being used for conducting tuition classes.

The department viewed the unauthorised use of these spaces, coupled with inadequate fire-safety measures, as a serious threat to the safety of students and other occupants.

The presence of students in a building lacking prescribed fire-safety arrangements heightened the seriousness of the violation, prompting the authorities to take coercive action rather than allow the premises to continue operating.

Sealing under Fire Prevention Act

The building was sealed under provisions of the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act.

The Fire Department has issued a stern warning that the seal cannot be removed without written permission from the Chief Fire Officer.

Officials made it clear that anyone found breaking or removing the seal without authorisation will face legal action under provisions treating such an act as a cognisable and non-bailable offence.

The action sends a strong message to educational and commercial establishments that continued operation despite repeated fire-safety warnings will not be tolerated, particularly where the safety of students and members of the public is involved.

Source: Nagpur Today