Cops save man from burning flat in daring op

Mumbai: Two police sub-inspectors of the Chunabhatti police station saved the life of a 54-year-old man who was trapped after a fire accidentally broke out in his house at Deoratna Nagar. The man, Sudharshan Subhatra, was trapped in his bedroom when the policemen brought the flames under the control with the help of half a dozen fire extinguishers that they had taken from neighbouring societies. All this happened before the Fire Brigade arrived.

According to the police, the incident occurred on Sunday night when Subhatra, who resides at Muktai building, was watching television in his flat on the first floor.

A police officer said, “Subhatra’s sister, with whom he stays, had lit a candle for religious purposes before heading out to participate in the society’s annual programme. After some time, a candle fell on a wooden table, which immediately went up in flames. Subhatra didn’t realise what had happened until the fire spread beyond control. Some people who were downstairs, on seeing the fire, immediately called the police and Fire Brigade.”  

Subsequently, around six officers from Chunabhatti police station reached on the spot.

PSI Kapil Sonkamble, who was one of them, said, “We initially didn’t know that there was an elderly person was trapped in the bedroom. We started collecting fire extinguishers and trying to minimise the fire. Subhatra’s sister then started shouting that her brother was trapped inside the flat. People started calling out to him but he was unable to come out due to fire and smoke.”

Mr Sonkamble added, “Working in accordance to a plan we chalked out, four team members (constables Ravikant More, Amol Tembhe, Vikram Kolhe and Sandeep Hulge) extinguished the flames while another police inspector (Nilesh Kanade) and myself tried to worm our way inside the bedroom and rescue Subhatra. I faced some breathing problems and was admitted to Sion Hospital, but now I am fine.”