The Directorate General Fire Service, Civil Defence and Home Guards said exercising the powers conferred under the Civil Defence Act, 1968, all media channels were requested to refrain from using civil defence air raid sirens sounds in their programmes other than for educating the community
There were no injuries reported in the fire, which is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit. Firefighters battled the intense flames for over two hours to bring the situation under control. According to the police, the fire erupted suddenly and rapidly spread throughout the flat, trapping a family inside as the flames engulfed the area. The residents screamed for help as the fire quickly intensified.
The 1,500-strong rescue team, including Defence forces, NDRF, SDRF, police, fire service, and volunteers, began searches early Saturday morning in the hardest-hit areas of Churalmala, Velarimala, Mundakayil, and Punchirimadom.
