The massive fire that broke out in Behrampada slum, near the station in Bandra (E) earlier this month, was a huge challenge not just because of the scale of the fire, but because the firefighters had to continuously protect themselves and their vehicles from a rowdy mob.

The locals manhandled them and damaged a vehicle while they were fighting the fire. Now, the fire brigade union has now warned that firefighters will not attend emergency calls in the area without police protection.