Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Apr 1: Two persons lost their lives in a fire tragedy which occurred in a building at Hosaguddadahalli, Vinayaka Nagar on Mysuru Road here on Friday March 31.

The persons who lost their lives were Mehtab (27), a labourer from New Delhi, and Madrasa teacher, Maulana Abdul Hafiz (35). It is gathered that the Maulana was married two years back, and is survived by wife and a year-old son.

Fire personnel who brought out the Madrasa teacher's body said that he was getting ready to offer Namaz when the incident took place. His body was found on the prayer rug, they said.

As locals and fire brigade personnel worked tirelessly to limit loss of lives in this tragedy, ten lives including that of building owner, Ibrahim Qaleemulla's eight family members, were saved. The fire was brought under control after an effort that lasted four hours.

The ill-fated building has a furniture factory at the groundfloor and a Madrasa in the third floor. The fire which initially appeared in the furniture factory spread up to the house of the building owner in fourth floor in no time. Fire brigade officials blamed the concerned for constructing the building in a congested area without allowing enough space for movement of air and vehicles.

It is gathered that workers in the factory had left for Namaz at around 12.40 pm and the bulding owner, Ibrahim, also came down to go to the mosque to offer Namaz at around 12.50 pm when smoke was detected in the ground floor. Before anyone could properly check what was going on, flames leapt through the building, which reached even the Galaxy Function Hall behind the building. Thick smoke had enveloped the entire area. Fire brigade vehicles could not reach the spot because of accumulation of large crowd. Police used their batons to disperse the people. Bike ambulance was summoned as it became impossible for large fire tenders to reach the spot.

Fireman, Hanumesh, and police constable, Krishnamurty, suffered injuries during the operation. They were provided first aid. The tragedy would have claimed more lives but for the fact that the Madrasa, which has 80 students, had holiday on Friday.