In a heartbreaking incident, six construction laborers lost their lives and another suffered severe third-degree burns after a fire erupted in their temporary shelter at an under-construction site. This tragedy occurred in Bheemenahalli Village, located within Bidadi Hobli in the South Bengaluru district, during the early hours of Tuesday.
The victims who perished in the blaze were identified as Manarul Sheik (40), Tajabul Shekh (26), Jahed Ali (32), Hasan Malik (42), Jiyabur Sheik (40), and Shafijul Sheik (36). Twenty-one-year-old Noor Jamal, who sustained critical third-degree burns, is currently fighting for his life at Victoria Hospital.
These individuals were migrant construction workers from West Bengal, employed by mason Hasan Malik for approximately a year. They resided in a cramped 30-square-foot shed on the construction premises, which served as both their living and dining space.
Investigations indicate the fire started around 2:30 a.m. as the laborers slept following their evening meal. The site’s security guard, Badri Thakur, was the first to spot the flames and immediately notified the site in-charge. Although the injured were quickly transported to Victoria Hospital, all eventually succumbed to their grievous injuries.
Bidadi police, upon arriving at the scene, initiated an inquiry. Their preliminary findings suggest that an LPG cylinder inside the shed was likely left on after cooking. A potential gas leak, combined with someone lighting a cigarette in the middle of the night, is suspected to have ignited the devastating inferno.
Following a complaint from one of the victims, authorities have registered a case against the landowner, site engineers, and other individuals. They face charges for acts endangering life and safety, and for attempted culpable homicide, as the investigation continues.