Fire drill death: four firemen suspended

Four firemen were suspended today for their “negligence” during a drill, which resulted in a garment factory worker falling to her death from the third floor of the unit earlier this week.

Fire officers Devaraju and K. Narayanaswamy and Fire Station officers Nisar Ahmed and Marianna were suspended after a Fire Department probe yesterday into the incident.

“The report is expected to be submitted in a week’s time,” DGP, Fire Services, A. R. Infant told PTI here.

Mr. Infant said the four were suspended for not following standard operating norms while conducting drills. “They should have tested the quality of the rope before using it for the mock drill,” he said.

The officials also should have arranged for enough cushions at various points on the ground, Mr. Infant said.

Nalini (24) fell to her death from the third floor of a garment factory on February 24 during the drill after the rope snapped. The drill was conducted by the Fire Department in the premises of Bombay Rayon Fashion Limited in Peenya Industrial Area in north Bangalore to test the preparedness of factory workers and fire officials during a fire.

The garment factory management has announced a compensation of Rs. five lakh to the next kin of Nalini.