Bengaluru fire: Toll rises to 14, most victims were students says CM Siddaramaiah

BENGALURU, Oct 8:The death toll in the fire accident at a cracker shop near here reached 14 on Sunday following the death of two more people, police sources said.
While 12 people were charred to death on the spot at the shop-cum-godown at Attibele in Anekal Taluk on Saturday, two others died while undergoing treatment today.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar visited the spot on Saturday and announced a compensaton of Rs five lakh each to the deceased.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed grief over the deaths.
Most of those who died were employed at the firecracker godown-cum-shop, police said, adding efforts are being taken to ascertain the identity of the deceased.
The incident occurred around 3.30 pm while unloading firecracker cartons from a transport vehicle.
“Some employees were working inside the shop when the fire broke out,” Superintendent of Police (Bengaluru Rural) Mallikarjun Baladandi said.
More than nine fire tenders were pressed into service, which has brought the fire under control,” he added.
The shop owner was stockpiling these crackers in view of Navaratri and Deepavali.
The blaze gutted several vehicles parked nearby. According to police, most of the victims hail from Ammalpettai in Dharmapuri district, Vaniyambadi in Tirupattur and Kallakurichi districts in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
The godown owner is also among the injured, police said.
A case has been registered against the owner of the godown owner and one person was arrested.
Most of the 14 persons killed in the cracker shop blaze near here were poor students who worked during the holidays to support their education.
Official sources said six of the deceased were Class XII and undergraduate students. One person has been arrested in connection with the tragedy that happened on Saturday.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said most of those who were killed in the fire tragedy in the cracker godown-cum-shop in the border town of Attibele in Bengaluru urban district were students.
“Most of those who died were students who worked during the holidays to earn money for their studies. Barring the manager, none was a permanent employee,” the chief minister told reporters after inspecting the spot.
He also met the bereaved family members and expressed his sorrow.
The young boys came from a very poor background who worked on holidays to fund their education and support their families, the sources said.
The chief minister said the families which lost their near and dear ones in the fire mishap will be given a compensation of Rs five lakh each.
“It’s a major tragedy where 14 people have lost their lives. We will get it investigated and initiate action against those at fault. My condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the departed souls to rest in peace,” Siddaramaiah said.
The chief minister further said that the government will bear the medical expenses of the three injured undergoing treatment in a hospital.
He said a CID inquiry has been ordered into the incident. (PTI)