A controversy is fuming in Bengaluru, with the fire department locking horns with the army over the credit for dousing the Bellandur lake fire, which lasted for over 38 hours.
Two days after the army’s involvement in dousing the fire made headlines, the Director General of Police (DGP), Department of Fire and Emergency Services said that the army’s role in the firefighting was limited only to protecting the army’s assets.
On Friday, several hours after the fire began, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) had released a statement that more than 5,000 officers and men of the Army Services Corps (ASC), led by a Major General rank officer, were deployed to douse the fire.
MN Reddi, DGP, fire department on Monday tweeted that army’s role was limited to that of a ‘local community’ and the army was deployed to protect army’s property.
He further added it was the senior officers and men of the fire department who led the firefighting effort in a rough terrain at night.
The army, however, in a press release, has claimed credit for the same, saying, “The fire, which had spread up to the perimeter of the army location, has been put out due to the untiring efforts of more than 5,000 army personnel and firefighting equipment of the ASC College and Centre.”
A senior fire department official pointed out that over 15 fire tenders were deployed by the fire department which helped in dousing the fire. “Yes, the army did support, but they were helping by creating a perimeter to stop the fire from spreading to areas that belonged to the army. It was the firefighters who doused the fire. Regardless of this, what is important is that the fire is doused,” said a senior fire department official, on the condition of anonymity.
The army spokesperson, however claimed the fire didn’t start in the army area, but the dryland by the shores of the lake.
While the fire department has locked horns with the army over the credit for the firefighting, the residents of Bellandur asked the government what steps have been taken to control the pollution at Bellandur lake, which has caught fire several times in the past.
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