B. Powers of Police on the occurrence of fire.—(1) On the occurrence of a fire, any police officer above the rank of a

constable, or any member of the Fire Services above the rank of a fireman, may (a) remove or order the removal of any persons who by their presence, interfere with or impede the operations for extinguishing the fire or for saving life or property ; (b) close any street or passage in or near which any fire is burning ; (c) by himself or those acting under his orders, break into or through, or pull down, or use for the passage of hoses, or other appliances, any premises for the purpose of extinguishing the fire, doing as little damage as possible ; (d) cause the mains and pipes in any area to be shut off so as to give greater pressure of water in the place where the fire has occurred ; (e) call on the persons in charge of any fire-engine to render such assistance as may be possible ; and (f) generally, take such measures as may appear necessary for the preservation of life and property. (2) Any damage done on the occurrence of fires by members of Fire Services or any fire-brigade or by police officers or their assistants in the due execution of their duties shall be deemed to be damaged by fire within the meaning of any policy of insurance against fire. Explanation.—Nothing in this section shall exempt any police officer or any member of Fire Services or fire-brigade from liability to damages on account of any acts done by him without reasonable cause. 29-C. Penalty for false alarm of fire. Whoever gives or causes to be given to any fire-brigade or to any member thereof or to any member of the Fire Services, whether by means of a street fire alarm, statement, message or otherwise, any alarm of fire which he knows to be false, shall be punishable for the first offence with fine which may extend to fifty rupees and for a second or subsequent offence with imprisonment which may extend to six months and with fine.”. 5. Insertion of new sections After section 34 of the principal Act the following sections shall be inserted, namely :—