CM visits burn victims, orders probe into cause

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday declared that he had ordered an investigation to determine the cause of the fire in the premises of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) head office premises.

The CM made the comments after he, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy visited Victoria Hospital to inquire about the health of the injured persons who sustained burns.

The probe would be conducted under BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath. Moreover, BBMP Engineer-In-Chief BS Prahallad would oversee an Internal Technical Inquiry on the civic body's behalf and submit a report before August 31.

An FIR had also been registered over the accident. The fire broke out at the BBMP’s quality control section building, injuring at least nine, including a chief engineer. It is being said that flames erupted during benzene testing around 5 pm.

The CM, Deputy CM and their party colleagues had been attending various events in Belagavi district’s Athani taluk earlier in the day. However, they flew down to Bengaluru when news of the accident reached them.

Siddaramaiah said that he’d asked the doctors at the hospital to provide the best possible treatment to the patients.

“As to why and how this happened, I have asked the commissioner (Girinath) that an investigation be conducted,” he told mediapersons.

“Some people had 38 per cent (burns). Others had 25 per cent. There are burns to varying degrees. Doctors said that they need to observe the patients for 48 hours. Any burn, if it is less than 30 per cent, there is no danger to life,” he said, adding that the victims who had suffered the worst burns were being given the benefit of dialysis.

“The first thing is that we ensure that our officials get the best treatment. We, the chief minister and others have spoken to the authorities at the hospital. The State government will ensure the best treatment for them. Three investigations will take place simultaneously,” Shivakumar said.