MIDC fire brigade lacked equipment to reach fourth floor

MUMBAI: The MIDC fire brigade was the first to reach ESIC hospital in Marol on Monday evening after a fire broke out and started fire-fighting operations, but the team had to wait for the Mumbai fire brigade to arrive to rescue those stuck in the top floor using ladder. The reason: MIDC fire brigade did not have hydraulic platforms that could reach up to the fourth floor.

The fire had started from the ground floor of the building and spread to higher floors within no time. Several patients and their relatives and also hospital staff who were left stranded in the building came towards the windows seeking for help, but in vain.

A hospital staffer said, “Some people jumped off in panic even before the fire brigade vehicles could arrive. I saw one person jump and fall the podium area. However there were other calling for help after fire fighters came as well and started the fire fighting process.”

The smoke continued to envelope the entire building as people shouted for help, said an eyewitness. Further, the glass facade of the building on the front side left little space for the smoke to escape.

Only after the Mumbai Fire brigade teams arrived from the Andheri, Marol and Goregaon stations and erected their ladders that those stuck on the fourth floor could be brought down.

A fire official from MIDC said, “We do not have hydraulic platforms because providing services to the building is the responsibility of the BMC and the Mumbai fire brigade has ample ladders. Besides every fire engine has extension ladders that can reach up to 35 feet.” The official further claimed that it’s wrong to say that only ladders were used to bring people down because many were rescued by them through stairways as well.