Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Mar 16: A house located in Ponnottu, Vittal in the taluk caught fire on Thursday March 15. Fire then spread all over the house, burning down part of the house and several electrical equipment. The house belongs to Tanaji, a native of Kerala, who owns a jewellery shop in Vittal.

Power supply to the area had been cut off due to lightening on Wednesday evening. Power supply resumed on Thursday morning when no one was at home. It is said that due to the high voltage when the electricity supply was resumed, electrical short circuit was experienced in the switchboard connected to the refrigerator in the house. The refrigerator was completely burnt and terrace and wall of the house developed cracks. Wiring was completely charred, with several electrical equipment and valuables turning into ashes. Although the locals tried to extinguish the flames, they did not succeed. As two gas cylinders inside the house were thrown out of the house in time, a catastrophe in the making was averted.

Fire brigade from the town rushed to the spot and doused the flames. Loss in this fire has been estimated at Rs 15 lac.

Mescom sub-divisional engineer, Praveen Joshi, branch manager, Vasantha, town panchayat president, Arun M Vittal, village accountant, Prakash and others visited the spot.

The high voltage power also inflicted damage to electrical equipment, wiring, pumpset, refrigerator and other things of houses located in the vicinity of the above house.