Removal of objects or encroachments in premises or building that are likely to cause a risk of fire or any obstruction to firefighting

(1) A Fire Officer may direct the removal of any object to a place of safety if, in the opinion of the Fire Officer, it is likely to cause risk of fire, obstruction to firefighting or life safety, at the cost of the owner or occupier: Provided that where the Fire Officer considers such objects or encroachments to be an imminent cause of risk of fire, he may direct the owners or the occupiers of such building to remove such objects or encroachments forthwith without causing any damage to the object so removed and report the matter to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate or any person assigned the duty of Duty Magistrate accordingly. (2) On the failure of the owners or occupiers to follow the direction of the Fire Officer, the Fire Officer, after giving a reasonable opportunity of making representation to the owners or occupiers, as the case may be, may report the matter to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate or any person assigned the duty of Duty Magistrate in whose territorial jurisdiction the building is situated, requesting to adjudicate the matter: Provided that where the Fire Officer had directed the owners or the occupiers of such building to remove such objects or encroachments forthwith, any person aggrieved by such removal may approach the Sub-Divisional Magistrate or any person assigned the duty of Duty Magistrate with the request to adjudicate the matter. (3) On receipt of a request to adjudicate under sub-section (2), the Sub-Divisional Magistrate or any person assigned the duty of Duty Magistrate, as the case may be shall,- (3) (i) if the request to adjudicate was received from the Fire Officer, issue a notice to the owners and occupiers, asking them to show cause for the failure to remove the objects or encroachments as directed by the Fire Officer; and (ii) if the request to adjudicate was received from the person aggrieved by the forthwith removal of goods under the direction of the Fire Officer, issue a notice to the Fire Officer as well as the owners and occupiers, asking the Fire Officer to show cause for the directions issued by him and asking the owners and occupiers to show cause why the objects or encroachments removed should not continue to be so removed: Provided that any person receiving a notice under this provision shall not be given more than seven business days to respond to the notice, but shall be given at least one day to respond. (4) After giving the Fire Officer, and the owners and occupiers, a reasonable opportunity of making representation, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate or any person assigned the duty of Duty Magistrate, as the case may be, shall pass appropriate orders to seal or demolish the building.