Job profile of a branch manager involves several features
which are not listed in the rule book. In between customers, clerical staff,
officers & controlling bosses there are moments of pleasure & pain for
the branch manager. Some of the odd jobs I did as BM may not qualify for inclusion in
the duty sheet. Here is one.
 |
| Danger |
The branch I was heading had a currency chest also where
four policemen were on 24 hrs duty. Most of the time they used to sit at the
end of the hall. Besides this the branch had staff strength of approx 30 &
it being a Saturday customers were present in good numbers.
At about 1315 hrs from the window of my cabin I noticed
smoke emanating from main switch. It was fixed on a wooden board which was also having several
switches, cut-outs, electric meter & changeover box of generator. It was a
jumble of thick & thin hanging colourful electrical wires.
Sensing trouble, I rang the bell & asked the peon to
check & switch off the lights if necessary. By the time he tried to see through
the switches, a flame erupted. Before he could do anything about it, the flame
burst into a fire ball with a big bang of a cracker. All switches, meter &
MCBs on the wooden board were shattered & gone. Thick black smoke started
bellowing with acrid smell of burning rubber spreading in the hall choking
those who were near it.
Policemen continued their gossiping with a casual eye on the
fire, most of the customers & staff stared at the fire, shouted for guard
but nobody moved.
Guard, an officer & I rushed to open the fire
extinguisher. None could.
A software engineer working in branch on contract
opened it. Then we both picked up the bulky extinguisher & pointed the foamy nozzle to the burning board. This worked & fire started dimming before fire brigade arrived.
Weekend mood was spoiled & departure cancelled. Thereafter
the fire which began to burn inside was put out by a glass of chilled beer.
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