Kozhikode district is pushing for a strong fire audit of tall buildings, hospitals, and shops after several big fire incidents. The government recently extended the Fire No Objection Certificate (NOC) validity to five years. Firefighters warn this weakens safety checks and increases risks. A retired Fire and Rescue official said, "The recent incident at a private hospital in the city is a lesson for all. It was only the prompt response of the rescue teams and the alertness of the hospital staff that prevented a major tragedy. Such coordinated efforts cannot be expected everywhere, especially where fire safety measures continue to be ignored." He urged the district administration to carry out regular joint inspections to find risky spots and violations. Revenue officials say many busy commercial areas like S.M. Street neglect fire safety rules. Traders and building owners often resist or ignore these rules, making public safety measures weak. In one past fire audit, 140 buildings were found violating fire norms. However, despite legal steps, many problems remain. The list of these buildings is with the District Disaster Management Authority for further checks. In the last 10 months, Kozhikode faced three major fires. Notable fires included one near the Mofussil bus stand commercial building and a fire at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital's battery backup unit. The latest fire at a private hospital again tested firefighters’ readiness. A senior Kerala Fire Service official said, "What we need is a system that ensures regular review of preparedness. Rescue teams will be left helpless if their powers are curtailed through unscientific changes to stringent rules and restrictions on surprise inspections." He stressed that strong yearly safety checks are key to preventing fires and saving lives.