Fire at plywood godown in Timber Layout destroys wood worth lakhs

BENGALURU: A major fire broke out at a plywood godown at Timber Layout in Hosagudda Halli in the city, late on Saturday night.

According to police sources, the timber godown belongs to Naveen Gupta and he has been running the business since the last seven years. Timber worth lakhs of rupees was gutted in the fire. Fortunately, Naveen had given leave for all employees on Saturday afternoon before locking the mill and going home.

A devastated Naveen Gupta at the godown after the fire broke out.

About 30 fire extinguishers rushed the site. The fire was so intense that it was difficult to bring it under control. Though the exact reason behind the mishap is yet to be ascertained, a short circuit is suspected to be the reason.

A HP gas cylinder store is just near the plywood mill where more than 580 LPG cylinders were stored. Luckily, the fire didn’t spread, which would have led to a major accident. Awakened by the fire mishap, the quick-thinking staff of the gas agency immediately shifted the cylinders to a safer place.

Chief Fire Officer of the East division, Raviprasad, said that the plywood godown belongs to J K Associates. “Once the fire is completely extinguished, we will conduct a detailed investigation. It is a suspected that some chemicals were stored in the godown”, he noted.