Chapter XIV MUNICIPAL FIRE BRIGADE

1. (1) With a view to the discharge by the Corporation of the duty of extinguishing fire and protecting life and property in case of

them to be called “the municipal fire-brigade”, and shall furnish the said brigade with all such fire-engines, fire-escapes, horses, accoutrements, tools, implements and means of inter-communication as may be necessary for the efficient discharge of their duties.

1. (2) A person may be appointed to be a member of the fire-brigade in addition to any other office or employment of such person.

The Commissioner shall from time to time make regulations for—

1. (a) the training, discipline and good conduct of the men belonging to the fire brigade,
2. (b) their speedy attendance with engines, fire-escapes and all necessary implements on the occasion of any alarm of fire,
3. (c) the maintenance of the said brigade generally in a due state of efficiency.

4[(1)] On the occasion of a fire the chief or other officer-in-charge of the fire-brigade may, subject to such orders as the Commissioner may from time to time issue in this behalf, take the command of all municipal officers and servants present and of any other persons who voluntarily place their services at his disposal; and may—

1. (a) remove, or order any fireman or other officer or person under his command to remove any persons who interfere by their presence with the operations of the fire-brigade;
2. (b) take generally the measures that appear expedient for the protection of life and property, with power, by himself or by the persons under his command, to break into or through or take possession of, or pull down any premises for the purpose of putting an end to such fire, doing as little damage as possible ;
3. (c) cause the water to be shut-off from the mains and pipes of any district in order to give a

greater supply and pressure of water in the district in which the fire has occurred and utilise the

water of any well or tank available for the purpose of extinguishing such fire.

These words were substituted for the words “the Commissioner may, with the approval of the Standing Committee” by Mah. 10 of 1998, s. 179. These words were substituted for the words “Mayor-in-Council” by Mah. 27 of 1999, s. 151. These words were substituted for the words “Mayor-in-Council” by Mah. 27 of 1999, s. 151. Section 361 was re-numbered as sub-section (1) of that section and sub-section (2) was added to that section by Bom. 9 of 1945, s. 2, read with Bom. 8 of 1948, s. 2.

302 The Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act [1888 : III

1[(2) The power conferred by clause (b) of sub-section (1) shall include a power to enter on any vessel within the dock area of the port of Bombay.]

It shall be the duty of all police officers and of all municipal officers and servants to aid the fire-brigade in the execution of their duties. They may close any street in or near which a fire is burning and remove any persons who interfere by their presence with the operations of the fire-brigade.

Any damage occasioned by the fire-brigade in the due execution of their duties, or by any police or municipal officer or servant

who aid the fire brigade, shall be deemed to be damaged by fire within the meaning of any policy of

insurance against fire.

A report of every fire which occurs in the city shall be submitted by the chief or other officer-in-charge of the Fire-brigade, not later than the day, following the fire, to the Commissioner, who shall make such further inquiry, if any, as he may deem necessary and shall furnish a weekly return of all fires which occur in the city to the

2[Standing Committee].