By SUNIL Sonkar

Bangalore, Feb. 23 — Nine persons were killed when fire broke out in a eight-storeyed commercial building Carlton Tower in Bangalore Tuesday afternoon. Three of the death happened when trapped people jumped out of the building in panic and other six died due to severe burns and asphyxiation. Manipal Hospital sources confirmed it.

Almost two hours it took to evacuate the building. About 70 people were injured in the fire and out of them 22 of them are critical in the Intensive Care Unit.

According to senior fire official, fainted persons due to inhaling of the smoke were rushed to the nearby hospital for first aid.
He added, “The fire began in a lift service cable in the second floor and spread through the duct with smoke engulfing the remaining floors,” Erappa, fire chief officer said. “More than the fire it was the smoke that caused panic”.

The building was engulfed by a thick blanket of smoke in the fire and several persons were seen scampering out of their offices and breaking window panes in desperation and also jumped out of the building.

Fifteen fire tenders rushed to the building and managed to rescue trapped people.

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