‘Manpower used was not enough’

Mumbai Fire Services Union leader Sharad Rao has accused top BMC officials of not appointing adequate firefighters during the Mantralaya blaze and called for a CBI inquiry against them. Arguing that enough manpower was not used to douse not only the Mantralaya fire but also other fires in the past,Rao asked for a reason for the same.

“Despite the presence of three fire engines and water tankers,only on engine is dispatched initially when a fire breaks out. The manpower sent is also inadequate. This causes the fire to spread and put lives of firemen and citizens at risk. Why is such a practice being followed? We demand a CBI inquiry against the municipal commissioner and additional municipal commissioners,” said Rao.

Rao added that a large portion of the Mantralaya could have been saved had more manpower been pressed into service.

However,a fire official refuted the charges saying that enough manpower was present at the site. Over 300 firefighters and officials,of the total strength of 2,300 across Mumbai,were involved on Thursday and Friday to fight the blaze at the Mantralaya.