Port Blair Oct 13: It could have turned into a floating inferno. Around 8:45 a.m. on Sunday, panic gripped passengers aboard the vehicle ferry M.V. Mus when a Pulsar motorcycle suddenly burst into flames, sending thick black smoke swirling through the deck. With over 150 passengers and more than 70 two-wheelers on board, the situation teetered on the edge of disaster.
But before fear could give way to tragedy, one man’s courage changed the course of events. Fireman Constable K P Mammu of the Andaman & Nicobar Police Fire Service, who was present on the spot, sprang into action. Posted with the Armed Police Unit, Mammu wasted no time assessing or waiting for help—he rushed straight into the smoke-filled vehicle bay, fought the flames, and contained the fire before it could spread to nearby vehicles. His quick response and calm precision averted what could have been a catastrophic explosion at sea. Passengers watched in awe and relief as the blaze was extinguished within moments, their gratitude echoing across the deck. This was not the first time Mammu had made the Islands proud. Beyond his uniform, he is a decorated athlete who has represented the Andaman & Nicobar Police and India at international platforms — winning Gold and Bronze medals at the World Firefighters Games 2022 in Portugal and three Golds at the Asian Masters Athletics Championship 2019 in Sri Lanka. His name is etched in national record books for sprint and long jump events — and now, for a different kind of race, one against fire and fate. The incident is a stark reminder to all government agencies of the need for constant vigilance and strict safety protocols aboard passenger and vehicle ferries. Electrical checks, fire drills, and emergency readiness must never be treated as routine — for as Sunday’s near-miss proved, danger often strikes without warning.
