A Decade of Resilience: A Father’s Crusade for Fire Safety After Tragic Loss

The Carlton Towers fire of February 23, 2010, left an indelible scar on Bengaluru’s history, claiming nine lives and injuring at least 70 people. Uday Vijayan, who lost his son Akhil in the tragedy, has since devoted his life to preventing such catastrophes. “The Carlton Towers tragedy is something that I can never forget,” Uday reflects. His grief became the driving force behind Beyond Carlton, a non-profit established months after the incident to advocate for fire safety and prevent future losses.

Beyond Carlton quickly took action by filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in 2011, urging mandatory inspections of high-rise buildings in Karnataka. The High Court responded by mandating biennial re-inspections of No Objection Certificates (NOCs). The group’s three-pillar strategy — accountability, awareness, and advocacy — has led to significant policy changes, including better-equipped high-rise buildings and more informed citizens.

Over the years, Beyond Carlton has collaborated with the Karnataka Government, Janaagraha, and emergency services to implement fire safety blueprints, ensuring faster response and comprehensive investigations of fire incidents. They also introduced the ‘B-FIRE SAFE’ initiative to educate residents on preventing and responding to fires.

In 2022, Beyond Carlton expanded its reach by signing an MoU with the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority, developing a fire safety model for Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The state’s digitised NOC system facilitated easier enforcement, furthering Uday’s mission to instill proactive safety measures.

Beyond Carlton also responded to the critical need for burn treatment during COVID-19 with the #FireWatch101 Project, aimed at equipping hospitals with burn wards and providing support for victims. Uday’s commitment underscores the emotional core of his work: “Once we lose the emotion of why we started this in the first place, our purpose fails.”

Every February, a memorial honours the nine victims, reminding the community of the importance of vigilance and gratitude for those who risk their lives, including under-recognized Indian firefighters. Frank Antony Public School continues Akhil’s legacy with an annual award for students exemplifying courage and leadership.

Uday’s vision remains clear: “It is high time we stop losing any more lives due to human negligence.” With ongoing efforts, Beyond Carlton aspires to make every Indian city 100% fire-safe.