Lamp lit for prayer sets Noida doctor's bungalow afire; 13 rescued, 2 firefighters hurt
Noida, Jun 24: A lamp lit for a prayer set a doctor's three-storey bungalow ablaze in Noida on Friday with 13 people, including children, trapped in the building, officials said.
The trapped people were rescued safely. Two firefighters suffered injuries during the rescue operation, they said.
Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissioner Alok Singh has announced Rs 50,000 reward for the team engaged in rescue and relief operation. He also announced recommending their names for the DG Award for their bravery, police said in a statement.
Due to fixtures like PVC panels and false ceilings, the fire gave rise to dense smoke. The blaze was brought under control in around an hour and firefighters had to use special apparatus for the rescue operation, Chief Fire Officer Arun Kumar Singh said.
"Around 10 am, we got an emergency call about a fire in the D block of Sector 20 after which firefighters and four fire tenders were rushed to the spot," Singh said.
The doctor had organised a prayer and a lamp that was lit for the ritual triggered the fire on the first floor of the bungalow where 13 people, including children, were trapped, Singh said.
The fire also spread to the second floor of the bungalow. The billowing smoke, flames and high temperature inside the building made it almost impossible for firefighters to reach the upper areas, the officer said.
"It seemed impossible. But the firefighters showed indomitable courage and by wearing breathing apparatus passed through the thick smoke and heat without caring for their lives," Singh said.
"A total of 13 people, trapped on the first and second floor, were rescued safely through the roof," he said.
Among those rescued were the doctor, his wife, daughter-in-law, granddaughter and his staffers, the chief fire officer said.
"During the rescue operations, two firefighters -- leading fireman Mahipal Singh and fireman Nizamuddin -- received injuries and were hospitalised as their health deteriorated due to smoke and heat," he said.
"Joint Commissioner of Police Love Kumar reached the Apollo Hospital and wished for their speedy recovery. Police Commissioner Alok Singh also checked on the health of the injured personnel and appreciated their courage," Singh added.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
