Mangalore: Omni in Flames - Late Fire Service, Extinguishers that Don't Work!

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NM)

Mangalore, May 8: In an incident that exposed the city's lack of preparedness to handle fire emergency, a Maruti Omni went up in flames following a short circuit near Mescom office at Shivbagh here on Tuesday May 8.

The Omni, said to be a second hand and belonging to a certain Ivan D'Souza of Marnamikatta, was being taken on a test drive from Mandovi showroom, driven by one Krishna.

What was amusing was the failed efforts of the people in dousing the fire and the laxity shown by the fire service. 

The fire services were called immediately, but much to the anxiety of the people at the spot, the Pandeshwar fire personnel reportedly arrived a whole hour late.

Meanwhile, the people at the spot brought a fire extinguisher from a nearby petrol bunk, but when they began spraying it, they found that it was out of order!

After much delay, they managed to get another extingusher, but to their agony, they couldn't open it!

Finally, they got hold of yet another extinguisher and this time succeeded. However, the car was completely charred by then

The fire personnel at last arrived after several rounds of phone calls. But the huge agitated crowd that had gathered at spot was angered by their late arrival attacked the fire fighters. Heated arguments and physical fights followed, and in the process, the camera of a mediaperson was damaged.

Kadri police led by Venkatesh Prasanna arrived at the spot and brought the situation under control.

Prasanna said that due to heavy traffic in the city, the fire service was delayed.