Sujit Bose introduces fire balls to help controlling mishaps in congested areas during festivals

Kolkata: In a significant stride towards boosting infrastructure for firefighting mechanism just before the Durga Puja, the state Fire and Emergency Services department on Wednesday introduced fire balls.

Sujit Bose, Minister for Fire and Emergency Services officially introduced the fire balls at a programme held at his department's headquarters at Mirza Ghalib Street.

The minister said that emergency fire units equipped with basic firefighting equipment will be set up near some noted puja pandals across the city which will spread special message on steps to prevent fire accidents and what to do immediately after a fire breaks out.

"Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee always wanted to give better services for pandal hoppers during Durga Puja. We are following her instructions. During Durga Puja this year, we are setting up temporary fire stations at different places across the city," said Bose.

The fire service department will set up stall spreading fire safety norms awareness in Park Circus seven point, Kankurgachi crossing, Shreebhumi Sporting Club, Karunamayee in Salt Lake, Shyambazar, Dunlop more, Gariahat, College Street crossing, Behala 14 no bus stand, Tollygunge metro station, Howrah Maidan, Sreerampur Station, Burdwan Main Market, Berhampur bus stand, Krishnanagar Ghurni Market, English Bazar Market, Bidhan Market (Siliguri) and Pradhan nagar (Siliguri).

According to Director General of Fire Services Jagmohan, the fire balls will be effective in very narrow and congested places or in locked buildings where physical entry is extremely difficult.

These are used for firefighting in a number of foreign countries as well as in some other states in the country, particularly to extinguish fire in locked buildings.

The fire ball, which is smaller in size than a basketball but larger than a cricket ball, weighs between 1.3 kg and 1. 5 kg. It contains ammonium phosphate and ammonium sulphate. However, such a ball will not explode if it accidentally drops to the ground. It will burst only when it is thrown into a fire.

While there are 142 fire stations in West Bengal, 15 more will be set up by this year.