Mumbai: A fire broke out late Tuesday night at the Silver Cinema Building on Khambatta Street, Ninth Grant Road East, Mumbai. The incident was reported to the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) at 11:15 pm, and an update was issued by 11:50 pm. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported during the incident.

Details Of The Incident

The fire was confined to the second and third floors of the three-story structure, a closed cinema theatre building. It primarily affected electric wiring, installations, tarpaulin sheets and other electrical materials within the premises. Visuals of the blaze have surfaced on the internet showing the structure engulfed in huge flames.

Fire Controlled In Short Time

Multiple agencies, including the MFB, Police, BEST and municipal ward staff, were swiftly mobilised to handle the situation. The MFB efficiently brought the fire under control and extinguished it by 11:20 pm, just five minutes after it was reported.

Cause Of Fire Yet To Be Ascertained

The prompt response by emergency services ensured that the fire was contained before it could escalate, minimizing potential damage to the structure and nearby areas. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and authorities are expected to conduct further inquiries to ascertain the details.

MFB To Launch Major Recruitment Drive

Meanwhile, facing a critical shortfall of 550 firemen, the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) is set to launch a major recruitment drive in January 2025. To ensure transparency and avoid controversies like those that marred last year’s hiring process, the MFB is considering engaging an external agency to oversee the recruitment.

The shortage of firemen has been a persistent issue for the MFB over the past three years. In January 2024, the brigade initiated a recruitment drive to fill 910 vacancies. Candidates who met the eligibility criteria participated in rigorous ground tests held in Dahisar, which included demanding physical tasks such as pull-ups, an 800-meter run in under three minutes, rope climbing, and a 19-foot jump. The final merit list was published in May 2024.

However, the process faced allegations of irregularities after disqualified candidates accused the MFB of misconduct, sparking accusations of a recruitment scam. Additionally, female candidates staged protests demanding an inquiry into the selection process. In light of these issues, the MFB is now prioritizing transparency in future hiring efforts.

Meanwhile, the 750 candidates selected during last year’s drive are undergoing a six-month training program and are expected to commence duties in April 2024.

Tokyo, January 1: Tsunami waves reportedly hit coastal areas of central Japan after a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.5 shook the country on Monday, January 1. Several videos surfaced on social media showing tsunami waves hitting Niigata and Ishikawa prefectures of Japan. At least 21 earthquakes above 4.0 magnitude struck Japan after which the country issued tsunami warning.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, waves as high as 1.2 meters (four feet) slammed Wajima port in Ishikawa prefecture at 4:21 pm, local time. Waves of 80 cm reached Toyama Prefecture around 4:35 pm and waves of 40 meters also reached Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, at 4:36 pm, local time. It also reached Niigata’s Sado Island at 4:10 pm, local time.

Tsunami waves hit parts of Japan

One of the videos showed waves breaking over the seawall in Ishikawa prefecture. Another video showed a powerful wave hitting a car in Niigata prefecture.

Power outages hit Japan

The powerful earthquake disrupted power supply in parts of Japan. According to reports, hundreds of residents were left without electricity. As part of preventive measures, the authorities asked people to evacuate from coastal areas of Ishikawa, Niigata, Toyama and Yamagata prefectures and move to safer locations. Traffic authorities closed major highways near epicentre of the Japan earthquake.

Tsunami warnings were also issued for Niigata, Toyama, Yamagata, Fukui and Hyogo prefectures, also along the Japan Sea Coast. Meanwhile, Russia also declared tsunami threat for parts of Sakhalin’s western coast and urges residents to evacuate to higher ground after the Japan earthquake.

Japan began the New Year on a scary note as a massive 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit Ishikawa and nearby prefectures on Monday. A Tsunami warning has been declared for Ishikawa, accompanied by lower-level advisories for the northwestern coast of Honshu.

Following the seismic event in the Noto region of Ishikawa prefecture at approximately 4:10 pm local time (07:10 GMT), public broadcaster NHK urgently broadcasted, “All residents must promptly move to higher ground.”

The earthquake and subsequent warnings have stirred concerns and prompted immediate responses to ensure the safety of residents in the affected areas.

Massive waves of up to 5 metres high are believed to be reaching Noto in Ishikawa Prefecture, according to the weather agency.

Waves more than 1 metre high hit the coast of Wajima City in Ishikawa Prefecture.

No casualties have been reported so far by local authorities.

Why is Japan prone to earthquakes?

Japan is renowned as an earthquake-prone country due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area with intense seismic and volcanic activity.

Positioned on four major tectonic plates—the Pacific, Philippine Sea, Eurasian, and North American plates—Japan experiences frequent seismic events. The subduction zones where these plates converge lead to powerful earthquakes, which sometimes trigger tsunamis as well.

Preparedness against earthquakes

In response, Japan has implemented rigorous building codes, early warning systems, and disaster preparedness measures to mitigate the impact of earthquakes.

Despite these efforts, the country remains vigilant, recognising the ongoing threat and potential for significant seismic activity, emphasising the importance of continuous research and advancements in earthquake resilience.