MTNL fire – A miraculous rescue act saves 84

A massive fire broke out on Monday in MTNL building trapping 84 people on the terrace of the nine-storey structure, all of whom were later rescued by fire brigade personnel in one of the biggest operations in recent times, officials said. The blaze started at around 3 pm at the building in suburban Bandra, which houses state-run telecom company MTNL, and all those stranded were rescued by the evening, they said

Cooling operations were still in progress at the MTNL building in suburban Bandra where a massive fire had broken out on Monday, July 22 an official told newspersons Tuesday. "I am happy to see that everything went well during the rescue operation," the official said. Monday's blaze was the latest in a series of fire incidents in the metropolis in the last few years.

 

 

 

Robofire (a robot) was also at work but could not quite measure up in the conditions according to some observers. Asked why the robot deployed at the site did not perform as expected, he said it did a "satisfactory" job."The robot's job was quite satisfactory. Its handler did not get enough space to manoeuvre it," he added.

The third, fourth and fifth floors of the nine-storey building were the worst affected due to the blaze, Mumbai fire brigade chief PS Rahangdale told PTI on Tuesday."Though the fire was brought under control on Monday evening, the cooling operations are still underway to ward off the smoke and eliminate any chances of a blaze," he said. “The fire broke out at the building, which houses state-run telecom company MTNL, on Monday afternoon and up to 100 people, 84 of them stranded on its terrace, were rescued in one of the biggest operations in recent times,” he added.

 

 

Over two dozen machines and equipment, including fire engines, special hydraulic ladders, jumbo water tankers, robofire (the robot), rescue van and breathing set vans, were used for the rescue operation that lasted for several hours, explained Rahangdale .

"It was quite satisfying to see our personnel working so hard, beyond the call of duty, to save lives. Our men showed immense bravery and presence of mind while marching into the fire-hit building where the temperature was over 800 degree Celsius coupled with poisonous gases," he said.