Bengaluru: In a post-midnight operation on Thursday, residents of nearby apartments in Malleswaram were evacuated after a fire broke out at a wooden handicraft manufacturing unit, causing damage to adjacent buildings. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
Incident details
The fire occurred at Adiga Creations Wooden Handicrafts on Pipeline Road around 3am. Fire and emergency officials quickly responded, evacuating residents from the apartments and clearing around 40 cars parked in the basement. Ten labourers working in the unit, who were sleeping on the first floor, were alerted by neighbours and escaped unharmed.
Firefighting efforts
A team of 50 personnel, led by Santosh HS, District Fire Officer (High Grounds), brought the fire under control by 6am and completely doused it by 9am. The handicraft unit, operating for the last 30 years, spans an 80×40 ft site with a ground, mezzanine, and first floor.
Officials noted that the unit lacked fire safety measures, and there was limited space for fire tenders to access the building, complicating the firefighting operation. A short circuit is suspected to be the cause of the blaze.
Damage assessment
The fire damaged safety grills, electrical equipment, and window glasses of the neighbouring apartments. The total financial loss is yet to be estimated. Residents have expressed relief that no injuries occurred despite the extensive damage.