Daijiworld Media Network [MM/NF]
Pics by Prajwal Ukkuda 

Mangalore, Apr 20: In what would have been a major fire disaster, the BSNL has everything to thank their  helpful  neighbor , the Fire Brigade service , who not only detected a fire and alerted the security staff , but also doused it before it went out of control.
 
Situated just opposite the BSNL head office at Pandeshwar, vigilant fire service personnel  on duty noticed thick smoke billowing out of the third floor of the BSNL office building at about 1.00 pm on 20 April
 
 
Fire fighters rushed to the scene and asked the security personnel to open the offices . Upon closer inspection, they found that the office was already  on fire. An additional fire engine  from Kadri was pressed into service to assist in controlling the fire.
 
 
District fire officer U Jaya told  media persons that, the incident occurred owing to  a short circuit in the AC wires.

 
 
Many computers, CDs and printed material have been damaged . But the fire fighters were  successful in controlling the fire within an hour.

This incident now brings to light the  lack of preparedness to face  emergency situations in  multistoried buildings in case of a fire. Fire fighters complained that  the 5 storied  building lacks smoke detectors and fire alarms. Ironically , this building contains costly  electronic equipment and holds  important documents. But the incompetence of BSNL officers to face any emergency  situations has become a  matter of debate now. Had the fire not been detected by the adjacent fire service office, there could have been massive damage to the building and could even have endangered human lives.