03/07/2026
The recent fire at Delhi's famous Parikrama Restaurant, reportedly caused by grease accumulated inside the kitchen chimney, is a powerful reminder that maintenance is one of the most critical aspects of fire safety.
Fire safety is not only about installing fire extinguishers or fire alarm systems.
It begins with preventing a fire from starting in the first place. Grease and oil deposits inside kitchen chimneys and exhaust ducts are highly combustible.
If they are not cleaned and maintained regularly, even a small flame or spark can trigger a serious fire.
Parikrama is one of Delhi's most iconic restaurants, well known for its revolving dining floor that offers customers a panoramic view of the city while they enjoy their meal.
A prestigious establishment like this is expected to maintain the highest standards of fire safety.
This incident also raises some important questions:
Is there a full-time Fire Safety Officer at the hotel?
Is an active Safety Committee in place?
Are Safety Committee meetings conducted periodically?
Are kitchen chimneys, exhaust ducts, and grease filters inspected and cleaned at regular intervals?
Are employees given regular fire safety training and emergency evacuation drills?
The biggest lesson from this incident is that fire prevention is always better than fire fighting.
Identifying combustible materials, ensuring they are properly managed, and preventing ignition sources from reaching them are the foundations of an effective fire safety program.
Fire safety is not a one-time activity—it is a continuous process of inspection, maintenance, housekeeping, training, and accountability.
