Yet, the first batch of seven firemen set out to climb up to the top floor and rescue hostages who were banging against the windows. A total of 600 people were rescued from the Taj within the first 24 hours of the terror attack.
While the hotel staff point out that the fire department was tardy in sending fire engines to the heritage hotel, senior firemen said their engines reached the spot as soon as they received a call.
“We got a call at 1 am stating that there was a fire at Taj. There was no delay in reaching the hotel,” said Chief Fire Officer Anil Sawant.
After reaching the location, he said, the fire department took the call to start the rescue operation on its own. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation which is to be informed before undertaking such an operation was not told. “There were people banging on the windows. We couldn’t just stand looking at them. We decided to start the rescue operation immediately, instead of wasting crucial time in taking permissions,” Sawant said.
“Since there was no protective gear or any cover-up with the firemen, the NSG told us not to take any risk,” he said. But the risk did pay off, with no casualties to their men and maximum rescue of hostages from both Oberoi and Taj hotels. A total of 750 people were brought out by the fire department while terrorists continued firing and hurling grenades. Snorkels, hanging ladders and aerial ladders with a cage were rushed to the Taj.
Since the hotel is air-conditioned, windows were all sealed. The firemen had to start by breaking the glasses. “We communicated with the guests trapped inside to come wherever there were windows. After breaking the glasses, they were brought out from the panes,” Sawant said.
The firemen said that working under the NSG was a first for them.
At Oberoi, the terrorists had set up fire on the first floor and ran upstairs with hostages. As the firemen reached to douse the fire, grenades were hurled from the top. “Though there is not much damage at Oberoi, dousing the fire was the most difficult part. Had the fire not been curtailed on time, it could have gone upwards and engulfed the entire hotel,” said deputy chief fire officer, P Rahangdale.
Terrorist’s mobile found
While the firemen were dousing the fire and carrying the rescue work, terrorists who spotted them decided to target them. Seeing that they were spraying water on the fire they had set, a terrorist hurled a grenade where Sawant and joint chief fire officer P Rahangdale were standing. “But they had not fully removed the pin of the grenade and it did not explode. While throwing the grenade, the mobile which he was carrying fell on the ground. One of the firemen saw the phone and handed it to me. The screen had Urdu description. It has been given to the police for investigation,” Sawant said. The terrorists also shot a bullet and punctured the tyre of fire engine. Another grenade thrown by them injured driver Mohan Taware. —ENS