Real-life heroes: Batla House residents use rope, mat to save 20 people trapped in burning building (video)
When there is calamity or any incident takes place then people get scared and run away. But there are always bravehearts who risk their lives to save the stranded.
And that is what happened in Batla House on Thursday morning when local residents rushed to rescue some 20 people trapped inside a building that was on fire with smoke billowing from the site. A resident said a few residents did a commendable job.
“After coming to know about the fire Umar of bismillah store rushed to the burning building with a fire extinguisher which he borrowed from his neighbour and tried his level best to douse the fire. In the melee the cylinder got lost. Another resident Hashim of H block put his best in dousing the fire and rescuing residents. Actually there are many heroes who chipped in and saved the day,” said Rumi.
In videos doing the rounds, Wajid, a close associate of former Councillor Shoaib Danish, was also seen on the spot helping residents. Surprisingly many local leaders and aspirants who were hyper active just a few months ago before the MCD elections got postponed as it was merged went missing from the spot, said residents.
In a video doing the rounds in the locality, men are seen climbing the building, using rope to bring down people trapped on first and above floor of the 5-storey house near Shah Masjid at Batla House risking their own lives.
The fire too was doused and there was no causality due to the blaze. Atul Garg, Director, Delhi Fire Service, said a call about a fire in a house near Shah Masjid at Batla House was received at 8.48 am, following which seven fire tenders were rushed to the spot.
“The fire was in a five-storey building. It was triggered from meter boards and reached up to the third floor of the house. More than 20 people were rescued and the blaze was brought under control,” he said.
No loss of life was reported in the incident. Nine people had inhaled smoke and sustained minor injuries.
“They were taken to AIIMS trauma centre by CATS Ambulance where they were treated for their injuries,” the official said. Four bikes, two scooters, a cycle along with nine electric panel boxes were also burnt in the fire.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Esha Pandey said the fire started on the ground floor of the house that was being used for parking vehicles of the residents. “Crime team was called to the spot to unearth the cause of the fire,” she said, adding that in case some fault is found, legal action will be taken accordingly.
A local resident, an eyewitness to the incident and also part of the rescue operation, said as the smoke started billowing from the building everybody was concerned to rescue the trapped people.
The fire brigade was informed but for a few minutes it could not enter the narrow lane further congested with illegal parking of vehicles on the roadside. The firefighters had to literally dash to the spot with their equipment and join in to control the fire.
Meanwhile, local residents jumped in the rescue operation and save all occupants of the building by rescuing them with two women receiving very minor injuries, said a resident.
Batla House resident said unity is strength and it was displayed in full during the rescue operation as an impossible task was accomplished: Rescuing all occupants to safety. In the video it can be seen how trapped residents are coming down with the help of rope and people cheering at every single rescue of the occupant.
Rescuers, the residents, were seen climbing the next building and rescuing women one by one.
Later, fire extinguishers arrived and doused the fire. Many residents said those involved in rescue operation should be given bravery awards.
