Five critical after fire at Kengeri perfume unit; 3 dead

BENGALURU: The condition of five workers who were injured in a fire which broke out in a perfume godown in Kengeri, is critical and are battling for their lives at Victoria Hospital. The fire broke out on Sunday afternoon and three workers had died in the incident.

All of them joined the work a week ago as it was a new factory, with the hopes of getting higher salary. Irfan and Afroz Pasha joined work at the factory as it is a factory next to the house, and were being paid Rs 600 per day.

Irfan joined as a truck driver after quitting his earlier job. Afroz Pasha had taken his son and his sister’s son to the factor as it was his holiday when the fire broke out in the factory. Five people ran out as soon as they realised the blast inside the factory, but suffered burn injuries.

At least three people were charred to death and five were injured when a fire broke out in perfume factory gowdown in Kengeri on Sunday evening.  The incident took place at Ramasandra under Kumbalagodu police station.

Mehboob Pasha, a resident of Nayandahalli, who had joined work a week ago, died in the incident. The other deceased were identified as Saleem (30), who ran the warehouse, and a woman. Presently, the condition of the boys who were with Afroz is critical, and they are being treated in an intensive care unit.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the godown was opened just a week ago. The owner Vithal and deceased Saleem are from Chikkabasti village. They were bringing loads of perfume bottles, refilling them and also crushing them for scrap. The blast occurred when dumping crushed bottles in drums. Saleem used to give Rs 700 to those who worked well and Rs 600 to others.