Actions on the occasion of fire, disaster or accident

(1) On the occasion of a fire, disaster or accident any police or any member of the fire services or any Magistrate or in the absence of any such person any public servant may do the following matters, namely:- (a) remove or order to remove those causing hindrance in the rescue and relief operations for protecting life or property, (b) close any street or passage, public or private, needed for the purpose of rescue and relief operations, (c) enter, open, break down, or allow passage of any hose pipe or other equipments by himself or by those acting under his orders in any premise, public or private, needed for the purpose of rescue and relief operations for protecting life and property, (d) take such appropriate and reasonable immediate steps as may deem necessary for the protection of life and property, (e) require equipments or other things, public or private, needed for the protection of life and property and those in possession of such articles shall give the same under the direction of the Police Officers. (2) Any damage happened in pursuance of the directions given under sub-section (1) shall be deemed to be a damage by fire, disaster or accident etc., eligible for insurance coverage within the meaning of any insurance policy against fire, disaster or accident, etc. and in the absence of such insurance the Government may pay to the concerned parties a reasonable amount as compensation, as may be assessed by the District Magistrate. (3) Nothing in this section shall exempt any Police Officer or any member of the fire services or any Magistrate or public servant from the liability for damages caused on account of any acts done by him without reasonable grounds.