Rourkela: The National Institute of Technology here held an awareness programme on fire hazards and safety awareness on its campus on Friday in which staff, faculty and students took part.

NIT Rourkela in collaboration with Rourkela Steel Plant organised the event. The programme was divided in two parts. In the first part, the theory of fire and its safety measures were discussed and in the second part, details of the theory was demonstrated to the participants.

Speaking about the programme, former police officer Suman Dutta, said: "A fire incident really unnerved us and it was decided to sensitise all. On March 12, a fire broke out in the computer science department. The fire could have destroyed valuable machines and documents. However, an alert and brave security supervisor Naresh Biswal, who is not trained for such circumstances, without really bothering his own safety fought the fire and put it off by taking risk," said Dutta.

Biswal was honoured and presented with a cash award of Rs. 5000 also, Dutta said.

Senior manager from department of fire of Rourkela Steel Plant P.K. Thakre was present on the occasion with his 18-member team.

Thakre discussed how to put off different kinds of fire and also how to take safety measures.

Director, NIT Rourkela, Animesh Biswas said: "All must have some basics knowledge about fire and how to extinguish it. Fire hazards at many places could have been avoided had there been a basic training to tackle it."

Later, the RSP fire department personnel gave live demonstration how to tackle fire at the early stage, before the professional help arrives, and also how to undertake rescue operation as well.