Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)
Udupi, May 16: In a shocking dereliction of duty by fire service personnel, a building was completely gutted by fire because the fire service vehicle that responded did not have any water.
A hotel near Adi Udupi in the city caught fire on Tuesday. The matter was immediately relayed to the fire service station at Brahmagiri, which is just 1.5 km from the site of the accident. Although the fire service vehicle reached the scene with personnel, it was discovered that the vehicle did not have any water. As the flames grew, the vehicle left for Malpe, saying it would return after filling up with water, but it never came back. This information was provided by Sundar J Kalmady, a municipal councillor.
Fortunately, it rained after some time, and locals, along with some fire service personnel, used the rainwater to bring the fire under control. However, the building was almost completely gutted, a situation that could have been prevented if the fire service vehicle had been properly equipped with water when it arrived at the scene shortly after the fire began.
Although the media attempted to contact fire service station officers for clarification, they did not provide any information.