Monday turned tragic for the Karnataka city of Mysuru when a two-storey resto-bar near Netaji Circle in the Dattagalli area was suddenly consumed by a ferocious fire. Two people lost their lives in the blaze, while seven others were left seriously injured. A number of people were inside the building when the fire erupted, and what should have been an ordinary evening collapsed into a deadly disaster within seconds.
How the Tragedy Unfolded
According to police, the entire incident took place at the 'Fox Den Resto-Bar', where roughly 25 people were present at the time. A loud explosion was suddenly heard, and within moments the whole resto-bar was wrapped in towering flames and thick black smoke. Panic spread instantly, screams filled the air, and people scrambled in every direction to save their lives.
The smoke spread so rapidly that within seconds people inside began to choke and struggle to breathe. In a desperate bid to escape the flames and suffocation, several of them jumped down from the upper floor of the pub, suffering severe injuries in the process.
What Caused the Blaze
In their preliminary investigation, officials have pointed to an electrical short circuit as the main cause of the fire. The first sparking is said to have begun inside a selfie LED booth set up within the resto-bar. The decorative dry grass placed there, along with the interior furnishings, caught fire almost instantly, and the flames raced across the entire space in moments. It was this speed that left people with no time to react.
The Dead and the Injured
Police said the two people who died in the incident have been identified as Sahil and Prakash. As soon as word of the fire reached them, personnel from the fire and emergency services rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. Acting swiftly, the fire brigade team managed to pull 7 people trapped inside the premises to safety.
A senior fire department official said a total of seven people were seriously injured in the blaze. All of them were immediately admitted for treatment to the city's Suyog Hospital and Apollo Hospital, where a team of doctors is keeping a close watch on their condition.
What Happens Next
Following the incident, police have registered a case and launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire. Officials are currently examining whether the premises had adequate fire safety arrangements in place.
