However, most shockingly, the Bank authorities resorted to suppressing the fire incident and, the subsequent damage in fiery proportions. Thus emerging more dangerous than the fire itself.
Nagpur News: A devastating fire that broke out in Bank of India’s Kadbi Chowk Branch in Nagpur engulfed two ACs, very very crucial old-new documents, furnitures including, even, Chief Branch Manager’s cabin. However, most shockingly, the Bank authorities resorted to suppressing the fire incident and, the subsequent damage in fiery proportions. Thus emerging more dangerous than the fire itself, the reports claimed.
According to reports, the major fire started in the morning hours at Bank of India’s (BoI) Kadbi Chowk Branch located at Paradise Plaza. The Branch was shifted to the present address just 3 years ago. However, the Fire Brigade’s three fire tenders succeeded in bringing the fire under control after great efforts. Some persons nearby the Bank noticed the smoke billowing from the Bank at about 7 in the morning. The thick smoke triggered the alarm bells installed in the Branch. (Specifically installed to avert criminal activities and fire alarm, too in the absence of any security).
The deafening sound of alarm bells drew the attention of people, and the Jaripatka police, who rushed to the spot. Police first informed the Fire Brigade about the fire in BoI’s Kadbi Chowk Branch. The Fire Brigade from their Civil Lines HQ dispatched two fire tenders as soon as possible to the burning BoI Branch. Another fire tender too reached the spot from Jaripatka Fire Station. All the three fire tenders battled with the fire, and after struggling with the inferno, succeeded in killing the fiery demon. However, the reason behind the breaking out of the devastating fire could not be ascertained immediately.
However, reports say, the two ACs installed in the bank, were running the entire night thus becoming the cool stuff the first fire victims. The burning ACs spit fire and sooner or later spread the fire engulfiing the entire Bank. The Branch deals with 20000-25000 customers who have their accounts in the Bank of India’s Kadbi Chowk Branch. The Chief Branch Manager Mahendra Tarnekar affirmed that no damage to customers has been done by the fire as data of their accounts has been stored and is safe. The fire has only destroyed his cabin and old-new documents. He said he joined the Branch just 15 days ago.
The Fire Brigade with their sharp eyes spotted no fire battling tools in the Branch. However, Tarnekar said, he himself shut the MCB Box button which curbed the fire from spreading to other departments. “The Fire Brigade men damaged the documents with their forceful water spray,” Tarnekar claimed.
THE SMOKE MENACE: The Fire Brigade personnel faced enormous difficulties in fighting with the fire as the entire Branch was filled up with thick smoke due the closed windows and non-functioning of the ACs. As soon as the personnel opened the shutter they were “welcomed” by the thick and life-threatening poisonous smoke and the Fire Brigade men found themselves groping in the dark.
According to sources, the Fire Brigade has till now no information of loss figure as the detailed investigation is going on. The customers, when heard of fire in their bank, slowly and steadily, started dropping at their Bank. The Chief Branch Manager Tarnekar immediately asked the woman staffers to go home and also directed other employees not to speak with anybody about the fire and the loss.
