Bangalore fire doused, 9 dead, 59 injured

Bangalore: Nine people have died and 59 are reported injured in a fire at Bangalore's Carlton Towers on Tuesday. Most of the people who died jumped in panic to escape the smoke that engulfed the top-most floors of the seven-storey office building.

As Bangalore tires to cope with the tragedy that took place in the Domlur area near the Old Airport Road, the city's firefighters arrived with ladders which weren't high enough to reach the top floors where several people were stranded. So ropes were thrown to those people from the roof of the building. (Read: Firemen evacuated over 150 people)

Kiran Jonnalagadda, tapped inside tweeted at 5.08 pm, tweeted, "Our rescue ladder. It'll only reach the fourth floor. We're on the fifth." He was reported safe an hour later. (Watch: Trapped, he sent pictures out to the world)

Witnesses also tell NDTV that they saw firefighters asking people on the top floors to jump, and that when they did, the safety net spread below couldn't take their landing. Head of Emergency Services Jija Harisingh denies this. (Watch: All clear, says emergency services head)

What is certain is that firefighters had a tough time reaching the building because of large traffic jams around Carlton Towers, caused largely by crowds who gathered to watch the rescue operations.

The fire began at 3 pm on the third floor. Smoke filled the top floors and people there couldn't move downstairs to safety.  Pictures on NDTV showed people smashing glass windows open to allow fresh air into their offices. (Watch: Firefighters asked people to jump, says witness)

The fire was brought under control and nearly 150 people were evacuated in two hours.

According to Nagendra Swamy, COO, Manipal Hospital, "We have received around 50-60 patients."

"Some of the persons are seriously ill. We are evaluating the patients' health", he said. Most of them suffered asphyixation, he said. (Read: All injured taken to Manipal Hospital)

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa announced Rs two lakh compensation for those who died in the fire accident, and Rs 50,000 for the injured. He has also confirmed that three people are in a critical condition. (Watch)

Fire officials suggest the tragedy may have been caused by a short circuit.

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Pics: Fire at Bangalore's Carlton Towers
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