Despite the state capital witnessing multiple fire incidents over the years, including the Levena Suites blaze that claimed four guest lives in September 2022, 147 hotels are still running without fire NOCs here, according to the fire services department’s records shared with HT. This number is about 50% of the hotels in the city, which has nine fire station areas.A hotel in a cramped lane in Lucknow. (HT Photo)According to fire services department sources, all these 147 hotels, both large and small, were recently served notices after inspections revealed faulty implementation of fire safety norms.Fire services officials said these hotels, on which notices were served, are situated in congested areas and their kitchens lack proper ventilation systems.“Many of them were running in the basement. Faults were found in their entry/exit system. Many of the fire safety equipment were found to be either expired or faulty,” said a fire services official requesting anonymity.Ankush Mittal, Lucknow’s chief fire officer (CFO),said following the Delhi tragedy, a fresh inspection will be conducted in the city and strict action will be initiated against those flouting norms.PREVIOUS FIRE INCIDENTSApril 14, 2024: A massive fire broke out at a Charbagh hotel. Ten visitors staying in an upper floor got stuck but were savedJan 7, 2023: A fire broke out on the fifth floor of a hotel on Sapru Marg in Hazratganj. Five people were trapped but rescuedJan 6, 2023: At least 10 employees sustained burns after a gas pipeline in the kitchen of a four-storey hotel near Phoenix Mall in Krishnanagar explodedSept 5, 2022: Four people die and 11 others suffer burns in a major fire at Hotel Levana Suites in the Madan Mohan Malviya Marg area.Dec 9, 2022: A man charred to death and another sustains burns after a fire at an eating point in a hotel basement.April 30, 2022: A banquet hall gutted after a fire in a two-storey hotel in a narrow lane in the Lalbagh area.April 25, 2022: Four people have a narrow escape after a major fire in a showroom-cum-service centre on Ayodhya roadApril 13, 2022: 48 people have a narrow escape in a major fire in a prominent hotel in Vibhuti KhandApril 13, 2022: Four families have a providential escape after a fire in a godown-cum- residence in a complex in Chowk