BENGALURU: A labourer was burnt alive after a major fire broke out at a plywood and furniture factory near Yedavanahalli close to Attibele on the outskirts of the city early on Saturday morning. The Sriram & Co factory, spread over a vast area, is right on the Bengaluru-Hosur highway.
Six fire tenders fought the blaze while workers of the neighbouring Ashirwad Wood Company also chipped in with doursing the fire using 10 water pipes. Local water tankers were also requisitioned to douse the fire. The loss is estimated at around Rs 5 crore.
Initially, one of the 25 workers were found to be missing, but he was later found burnt alive. The deceased was identified as Govind (24) who hailed from Uttar Pradesh. Goving would sleep in the factory itself and he could not escape when the fire broke out. His body was found near a pressing machine after the blaze was put out.
Factory owner Harshad Patel said the fire was noticed about 3.30 am and more than 25 workers were sleeping in the shed. “An electrical short circuit may have caused the fire. I immediately informed the Fire and Emergency Service. There have been no lapses from our side and we have all the requisite permissions”, he added.