Fire engulfs residential building in Gudaibiya, triggers panic
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Firefighters in Bahrain yesterday averted a major tragedy as they bravely fought through a smoke-filled residential building amid an ongoing fire to rescue residents trapped inside, triggering panic and heart-stopping moments in Gudaibiya. While all the 20 residents were evacuated safely by Civil Defence Force officers, four suffered burn injuries.
The National Ambulance crew rushed them to hospitals as firefighters brought them out. It took the Civil Defence Force, four fire tenders and 17 rescue officers several hours of battle before they could bring the fire under control.
Civil Defence Forces said they rushed to the spot soon after receiving frantic distress calls seeking urgent intervention as seven got trapped inside the building on fire. Soon, fire tenders and police officers reached the spot and cordoned off the area as rescue officers sprang into action.
Pictures from the scene showed well-kitted firefighters bringing out panic-stricken residents, including visibly shocked kids. Visuals also showed a woman, wearing a breathing apparatus, assisted by a fireman, coming out to safety.
Police had also cordoned off the area barring passersby and curious onlookers from blocking the rescue efforts. Residents in the area told Tribune that it was clean and well-thought-out actions by the rescue officers. "Else, it would have been a major tragedy but averted, thankfully."
The firefighters had also brought breathing apparatus along, including oxygen cylinders, considering exigencies. "They checked the entire building to find out if anyone was left behind, as firefighters also simultaneously worked to evacuate the building and douse the blaze." Officials, however, are yet to establish the cause of the fire.
No confirmation regarding this is available as of now. An investigation is ongoing. The Interior Ministry also confirmed the accident in a tweet. The onset of the summer every year usually brings a rise in fire incidents, even though this year people had a short relief with unusual rains.
Tribune had reported several fire accidents in the Kingdom. The most recent was that of a fire that broke out in a company in the eastern Aker region. In another incident in the Manama area, Civil Defence Team rescued 140 people from a building in the Manama area.
The incident caused injuries to 10 people. Five of the injured - tenants at the building - were taken to a local hospital by the National Ambulance team. That incident, however, later emerged as an arson attack, with police also capturing the accused within few hours of the incident.
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