Major fire in an eighth-floor flat in Bengaluru; property worth lakhs feared destroyed.
Bengaluru. A sudden fire broke out in a flat in a multi-storey residential building in Karnataka’s capital Bengaluru. On Wednesday, October 21, a massive fire broke out in a flat on the eighth floor of D Block of Brigade 7 Gardens Apartment located in Uttarahalli area. The flames and smoke created panic among the nearby residents. As soon as information about the incident was received, several teams of the fire department reached the spot and started the operation to extinguish the fire.
It is a matter of relief that no one was present in the concerned flat at the time of the accident. Due to this, no injury to any person or loss of life or property has been reported. However, the goods and household appliances kept inside the flat got damaged due to the fire. Initial suspicion is that the fire may have started due to electrical short circuit. However, the actual cause of the fire will become clear only after investigation.
Information about fire was received at 11:50 am.
According to the information, at around 11:50 am on Wednesday, the fire department received information about a fire in Brigade 7 Gardens Apartment. As soon as the information was received, fire tenders from Hulimavu, Anjanapura and Banashankari fire stations were rushed to the spot.
The fire broke out in a flat located on the eighth floor of D Block of the building. Due to fire in a high-rise building, firefighters had to carry out relief and rescue operations with special caution.
Fire department teams reached the spot and started efforts to control the fire. During this time it was also important to prevent the fire from spreading to other nearby flats.
After the operation that lasted for about four and a quarter hours, the work of extinguishing the fire was completed by around 3:30 pm.
The flat was vacant at the time of the accident
The most comforting thing in this incident was that no person was present in the flat where the fire broke out. There was no report of anyone getting burnt or injured due to this.
If people had been present in the flat at the time of the fire, the situation could have been more serious. Smoke and heat can become a major threat to people, especially in case of fire in multi-storey buildings.
This incident has once again brought to the fore the importance of fire safety systems in high-rise residential buildings.
Four vehicles arrived from three fire stations
Considering the seriousness of the fire, the fire department sent four fire engines to the spot. Crews from Hulimavu, Dairy Circle and Banashankari fire stations conducted joint operations to control the fire.
According to officials, the fire brigade was confined to a three-bedroom flat located in D Block of 7 Gardens. Other nearby flats were saved from the fire. The fire department received information at 11:52 am.
Allegation of water shower not reaching the eighth floor
A resident present during the incident has questioned the initial efforts to extinguish the fire. According to eyewitnesses, initially the fire was limited to one room of the flat.
The resident alleges that firefighters and some local people tried to extinguish the fire by spraying water from the ground, but the water was not reaching the eighth floor effectively.
Eyewitnesses claimed that during this time the fire spread to other parts. It has also come to light that a small explosion took place in a room. However, the actual cause of the explosion has not been officially confirmed.
According to the resident, a special ladder to reach the height also reached the spot later. The fire department’s detailed response to these allegations has not been revealed.
The goods kept in the flat were badly damaged.
The fire has caused extensive damage inside the flat. Furniture, household items and other items kept in the room were affected by the fire and smoke.
However, the total economic loss has not yet been officially assessed. For this reason it is not possible to tell the exact amount of loss.
Only after investigation by the officials will it be known how much damage has been caused to the property by the fire and which parts of the flat have been affected.
Danger of fire due to short circuit
According to preliminary information, electrical short circuit is believed to be the possible reason behind the fire.
However, the officials have not yet confirmed this finally. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire will be necessary to determine the actual cause of the fire.
Regular checking of electrical equipment, wiring and fire fighting systems is considered extremely important in multi-storey residential complexes. Poor electrical wiring, excessive loads and faulty equipment can increase the risk of fire.
Questions raised on fire safety of tall buildings
This incident has raised questions over the fire safety arrangements in multi-storey residential buildings of Bengaluru.
According to experts, such buildings must have adequate fire fighting equipment, functioning sprinkler systems, emergency exits and presence of trained security staff.
Additionally, regular fire drills can educate residents about safe evacuation methods in case of an emergency.
Regular testing of fire alarms, water pipelines and fire fighting equipment installed in buildings is also necessary.
The situation will become clear after investigation of the incident.
At present, the fire department has controlled the fire and there is no report of any casualty.
However, it will be important to investigate the complaints regarding the initial efforts to extinguish the fire and the cause of a possible short circuit.
The damage caused in the flats affected by the incident also has to be assessed.
This incident in Uttarahalli, Bengaluru has once again reminded that only modern facilities are available in tall buildings.