Stray cannister spark reduces depot to rubble; four men charred to death

Tragedy struck at a scrap material depot at Tilaknagar near Bannimantap in Mysore on Saturday noon, when air freshner canisters burst, leading to a major fire, killing four and injuring six, of which three are believed to be critical. Four persons were charred to death, while three are battling for life at KR Hospital, when fire engulfed the scrap material depot soon after the canisters burst.

Eyewitnesses state that an autorickshaw driver, Saleem, who transports goods, had delivered empty canisters of air freshener around 1 pm.

When the men at the depot tried to break open the cans forcibly, sparks from the metal ignited the fire in the depot.

“They might have also kept the cans in the sun to warm it so it would break easily,” a police officer said. When the can caught fire, the workers fled, as the fire spread to the kerosene and oil drums stored in the vicinity. Within minutes, the fire engulfed the depot.

While six of the workers managed to escape with burn injuries, four others died instantly within the premises.

“The bodies were charred beyond recognition. We had to pacify the local residents, who came to douse the fire and rescue the survivors, as they vented their ire against the fire tenders who arrived late. They were complaining that even the 108 ambulance service reached the spot late,” a senior police officer said.

Saleem was also killed in the mishap. The police said three of the injured were critical and are fighting for their life as they had sustained more than 80 per cent burns. The deceased have been identified as Syed Abdul Majid, 60, Saleem, 26, and Babu alias Iqbal, 50, while the fourth victim is yet to be identified.

The post-mortem was conducted at KR Hospital, where the injured have been admitted.

The Mandi police in Mysore have registered a case of negligence leading to death against the owner of the scrap depot, Zaheer Pasha, who is absconding.

Local residents claimed that he sustained head injuries caused by splinters from accident.
The police are on a lookout for him.