9 dead in Bangalore high rise fire,several jump in panic

The fire was brought under control and the building evacuated nearly two hours after it broke out at around 4.30 PM. At least 70 persons were injured. Of them,22 persons are critical in the Intensive Care Unit while some were being treated in the casualty ward,the sources said.

The fire in the building housing software companies and commercial establishments,was caused by a spark in the lift service cable,a senior fire official said.

“The fire began in a lift service cable in the second floor and spread through the duct with smoke engulfing the remaining floors”,said Erappa,fire chief officer. “More than the fire it was the smoke that caused panic”,he said.

As a thick blanket of smoke engulfed the building,several persons scampered out of their offices,broke window panes in desperation and jumped out. Scores of panic stricken people screamed for help and 15 fire tenders which rushed to the spot,managed to rescue some of them.

“We have received around 50-60 patients. Some of the persons are seriously ill. We are evaluating the patients’ health”,said Manipal hospital COO Nagendra Swamy

One girl clad in a blue salwar kameez landed on the roof of the portico after jumping from the sixth floor and then slipped to the ground. Her condition was not immediately known. One woman even tried to use her saree as a rope to get out.