Bengaluru: A 55-year-old woman died following a fire that broke out at her residence in North Bengaluru on Monday night, police said on Tuesday.
The deceased has been identified as Savitha. Her husband, Ramesh Babu, a contractor, their son Vishrut and her mother-in-law Sannamma managed to escape unhurt.
According to preliminary investigations, the fire broke out a little after 9.30 pm at their three-storeyed building located in ‘D’ Block of Rajajinagar. The family was residing in a duplex house on the third floor, while a portion on the first floor had been rented out, police said.
Fire noticed by son
Based on the statement given to the police by Ramesh Babu, the incident occurred between 9.30 pm and 10 pm. He told investigators that he was watching television with his mother on the ground floor of the duplex when their son, who was on the upper level of the house, noticed flames in one of the rooms.
Vishrut immediately alerted his father and grandmother. The two managed to move out of the house as smoke began to spread rapidly. However, Savitha was reportedly stuck on the top floor as the fire intensified.
“Savitha was stuck on the top floor, and Vishrut, too, managed to come out. A little later, firefighters arrived and got to my wife after dousing the blaze. She was unconscious and was taken to a hospital in Malleswaram, where doctors declared her dead,” Babu stated in his complaint.
Fire and rescue operation
Fire and Emergency Services personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information about the blaze. Officials said they managed to control the fire and prevent it from spreading to adjacent structures.
Savitha was rescued in an unconscious state and shifted to a nearby hospital in Malleswaram. However, doctors confirmed that she had succumbed, reportedly due to suffocation caused by smoke inhalation. The exact cause of death will be ascertained after the post-mortem examination.
Neighbours in the locality said they noticed thick smoke billowing from the building and alerted authorities. The quick response of emergency teams helped avert a larger tragedy, residents said.
Short circuit suspected
Police officials stated that a preliminary probe suggests the possibility of a short circuit as the cause of the fire. However, they added that a detailed forensic examination is being conducted to confirm the exact reason behind the incident.
A senior police officer said expert opinion from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) is being sought to determine whether faulty wiring or electrical appliances may have triggered the blaze.
The Subramanya Nagar police have registered an Unnatural Death Report (UDR) based on the husband’s complaint and are continuing further investigation.
Safety concerns highlighted
The incident has once again highlighted concerns about electrical safety in residential buildings, particularly in multi-storeyed structures. Officials have advised residents to ensure regular maintenance of wiring systems and avoid overloading electrical circuits.
Fire safety experts recommend installing smoke detectors, keeping fire extinguishers accessible and conducting periodic checks of electrical installations to minimise risks.
Conclusion
As the investigation progresses, authorities are awaiting forensic findings to establish the precise cause of the fire. The sudden death of Savitha has left the family and residents of Rajajinagar in shock, underscoring the importance of fire safety awareness in urban homes.