Flames spared pooja area: Owner

Regarding the debate over the fire that raged on the top floor of Gold Towers due to Homa (pooja) or a electrical short circuit, Chethan Prakash Thayal, Gold Tower owner told Deccan Herald that on April 12 there was no pooja performed behind the NYK’s Elite Club. Moreover, between 10 am and 1.30 pm on Monday, it was Yamaganda kala (time) when no Hindu pooja activity would take place.

He argued that the fire broke out only in the kitchen and the dance floor area of the NYK pub. The rest of the club was safe. According to Thayal, the pooja was scheduled between 7 am and 8 am and was to conclude on April 14, new moon day.

Thayal said that following his return from Chandigarh on Tuesday, he had met the Fire department officials and registered a written complaint with them, seeking a thorough investigation into the matter. “Fire department officials claimed that while the pub owners had approached them for a NOC, it was rejected,” Thayal added.

He claimed that the entire pooja area was completely “intact” and even the flowers were not affected. “We have high walls separating the pooja area from the pub. So there was the least possible chance of a fire spreading to the pub,” he said.

Apologised

Asked whether he would initiate any legal action on the matter against the owner of NYK’s Club, Thayal said: “The club owner has apologised to me over mishap. As he has returned to the town, Ananth Kumar, the owner of NYK’s will come and meet me on his return.”

According to a senior officer, in the last three months (till April 12), the Fire department has received 859 calls. “Only a thorough technical investigation will reveal the cause of fire but at times, some try short cut methods to recover losses,” said a senior officer.