The reported explosion and the resultant fire at the Moidheen Palli (mosque) road of Mittayi Theruvu would have killed many more if the volunteers had not pulled them out in time.
Initially everyone was sure that the entire street would be burned down by the fire, so high was the flames and so thick was the smoke. But the brave civilians, potters, police and the fire force intervened in time to cut short the disaster to right lives and around 80 shops.
The ordeal of fighting a tough fire which took hours to succeed was not an easy one. The huge flames, thick smoke, and continuous blasting of crackers took them by surprise. But after an initial hesitation, volunteers quickly geared up for the rescue mission. They pulled out several trapped victims, carried several buckets of water from the near by well (though it made no significant difference to the fire), arranged vehicles to carry the victims to the hospital and even arranged food and drinks for the exhausted volunteers.
In the meantime people were flowing in from the nook and corner of the district to do what they can to save the lives of their fellow citizens. Police too joined the force soon and took up the task of controlling the traffic so that the help can flow in smoothly. The Territorial Army popularly known as The Terries also arrived from Kannur to give a helping hand. Helicopters of the coastal guards also flew in to see what they do to better the situation. Kozhikodans had always been in the front of all rescue missions be it ‘Kadulundi’ or the same ‘Mittai Theruvu of 1995’.
The people from the remote villages of Calicut were also speeding down the city in hired vehicles seconds after the first news of the fire reached them. In a world of selfish people it is such acts of kindness which keep the thin flame of hope burning.
