Who doused Ranbaxy fire?

MOHALI: After hectic activity to extinguish the Ranbaxy fire on Wednesday night, the debate is on as to who doused the fire.
While Ranbaxy authorities maintain their equipment was used to douse the flames, the Mohali fire department is quick to point out that they reached the spot before being informed about the accident.
Add to this, there are conflicting versions about the presence and use of the Air Force fire tender, reportedly stationed outside the main gate on Ranbaxy’s request.
According to Mohali fire station officer Bhupinder Singh Sandhu, ‘‘Our headquarters are next to the Ranbaxy building and, therefore, we reached the spot even before we were called in by the officials. We commissioned four fire engines, complete with proper equipment. While one water hoser with 20,000 litres capacity was used initially, we also had two vehicles with 5,000 water capacity, foam and carbon dioxide facility. It took us 15 minutes to control the fire.’’
When asked, why tenders from Chandigarh, Patiala, Ludhiana and Mandi Gobindgarh were called when they were so well-equipped, he said: ‘‘Those were precautionary measures. While we did use the foam from Chandigarh and Mandi Gobindgarh tenders, we sent back the Ludhiana and Patiala engines.’’
Ranbaxy authorities, on their part, claim their own hydrant systems managed the situation initially. ‘‘We have a well-equipped hydrant system, with 10,000 litre water capacity and foam, at the plant itself. Our team went into action the moment the fire started. Soon, we had help from the fire department, which reached the site promptly,’’ said an official of the pharmaceutical unit.
However, the fire department and the Ranbaxy authorities have different versions on the function of the Air Force fire tender. While Ranbaxy officials state the Air Force tender was called by the Municipal Council, Sandhu says, ‘‘They just sent one fire tender and that too was ill equipped. Their hydrant finished in 10 minutes. It didn’t even have a monitor or phone facility.’’
Sandhu was also quick to point out that some of the firemen, including himself, sustained injuries during the dousing operation.