Carlton Tower Fire, Bangalore – Based upon the patterns of
smoke travel and color of walls and ceiling, it was reported by various
sources that the fire started between the first and second floors in the
electrical shaft. Smoke traveled through the lobby and the staircase.
The occupants were left with only one Fire exit to escape, which too
was full of smoke. Access to the terrace was locked. Fire Service
Staff had to break the terrace door after reaching the seventh floor.
Several modifications are done in building and the removal of
horizontal sealing in the ducts at alternative floor level allowed the
fire /smoke to travel from lower floors to upper floors. Along with
many aspects, this case also highlights why it is so important to
seal the shafts at each floor and every opening leading from this
shaft to the respective floors.
(Fig 1.4)