Mumbai: A fire broke out late Tuesday night at the Silver Cinema Building on Khambatta Street, Ninth Grant Road East, Mumbai. The incident was reported to the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) at 11:15 pm, and an update was issued by 11:50 pm. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported during the incident.
Details Of The Incident
The fire was confined to the second and third floors of the three-story structure, a closed cinema theatre building. It primarily affected electric wiring, installations, tarpaulin sheets and other electrical materials within the premises. Visuals of the blaze have surfaced on the internet showing the structure engulfed in huge flames.
Fire Controlled In Short Time
Multiple agencies, including the MFB, Police, BEST and municipal ward staff, were swiftly mobilised to handle the situation. The MFB efficiently brought the fire under control and extinguished it by 11:20 pm, just five minutes after it was reported.
Cause Of Fire Yet To Be Ascertained
The prompt response by emergency services ensured that the fire was contained before it could escalate, minimizing potential damage to the structure and nearby areas. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and authorities are expected to conduct further inquiries to ascertain the details.
MFB To Launch Major Recruitment Drive
Meanwhile, facing a critical shortfall of 550 firemen, the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) is set to launch a major recruitment drive in January 2025. To ensure transparency and avoid controversies like those that marred last year’s hiring process, the MFB is considering engaging an external agency to oversee the recruitment.
The shortage of firemen has been a persistent issue for the MFB over the past three years. In January 2024, the brigade initiated a recruitment drive to fill 910 vacancies. Candidates who met the eligibility criteria participated in rigorous ground tests held in Dahisar, which included demanding physical tasks such as pull-ups, an 800-meter run in under three minutes, rope climbing, and a 19-foot jump. The final merit list was published in May 2024.
However, the process faced allegations of irregularities after disqualified candidates accused the MFB of misconduct, sparking accusations of a recruitment scam. Additionally, female candidates staged protests demanding an inquiry into the selection process. In light of these issues, the MFB is now prioritizing transparency in future hiring efforts.
Meanwhile, the 750 candidates selected during last year’s drive are undergoing a six-month training program and are expected to commence duties in April 2024.
