Major fire at popular cafe in Koramangala

BENGALURU: A major fire broke out at the Mudpipe Cafe and pub, opposite Forum Mall in Koramangala, on Wednesday. One person jumped from the fourth floor of the building to save himself from the flames.

As the flames rose, a man jumped off the terrace to save himself.

It is believed that the fire was caused due to an LPG cylinder blast as some 5-6 cylinders were kept on the top floor. With the flames rising, those in the adjacent buildings were anxious that the fire would spread.

The Fire and Emergency Services personnel reached the spot about 30 minutes after the blaze erupted. Six fire tenders were fighting the blaze. Some vehicles parked within the premises were also gutted.

Sandesh, an eyewitness, said a shortcircuit first caused the fire leading to one LPG cylinder blasting. “This led to four other LPG cylinders blasting. There were two people on the top floor and one of them came running down while the other leapt from the building. He has sustained injuries in the hands and legs and we immediately shifted him to a hospital”. The added that one car and four two-wheelers belonging to a car showroom on the ground floor were also gutted.

Prem Singh Saud, who works as a cook at Mudpipe, sustained injuries after jumping off the building.

The man who jumped from the building was identified as Prem Singh Saud (29), a cook at Mudpipe. The other person who escaped from the fire was identified as Joshi. Prem was shifted to KG Hospital in Tilak Nagar for treatment of his injuries and his condition is said to be critical. He is likely to be shifted to Nimhans as he sustained serious head injuries too.

The parked vehicles which were gutted.

Additional Director General of Police Harisekharan, who arrived at the spot, said the fire broke out around noon and eight fire tenders battled the blaze. “They had stored 15 LPG cylinder on the terrace and the fire was caused after one of the cylinders began to leak and blasted. In all, four cylinders burst. One person jumped off the terrace and one car and four two-wheelers were also gutted”.

Additional Director General of Police Harisekharan briefing the media about the incident.

The pub normally opens at 1 pm and a major human tragedy was averted as the fire broke out at noon. Normally, there would be at least 50 customers around lunch time, apart from the staff. Luckily, some of the staffers had still not turned up for work today.