Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (SP)
Bantwal, Jun 19: On Wednesday June 18 morning, raging fire gutted down a plywood factory functioning at Kotekani in Sajipapadu village in the taluk.
Loss in the accident, in the form of machines, plywood, electric wiring and equipments, raw materials, furniture, RCC roof and water pipelines has been estimated at Rs 2.5 crores. Major part of the factory stands reduced to ashes due to this fire. No injuries or loss of lives were reported.
A local named Latif observed that flames were leaping out of the factory, at around 4.45 am. Fire brigade was sounded immediately. Some locals said that considerable loss could have been averted if fire tenders had reached the spot earlier.
Workers of the factory, who were sleeping in nearby quarters, woke up to the horrible sight of their workplace engulfed in flames. Owner of the factory and others tried their best to douse the flames, but the flames were too huge to be tamed by their efforts. Fire brigade personnel fought for about four hours, with the help of the locals and people's representatives.
The revenue officials guessed that either electric short circuit or sparks from the exhaust chimney of the factory would have ignited the fire.
Ashfaque, who owns the factory, suspected the handiwork of miscreants in the incident. He said that the fire had not been ignited in the chimney of the factory since the last two days, and no one was either staying or working in the factory on Tuesday night. He believes that some miscreants would have used these favourable conditions to inflict loss on him, and demanded detailed police investigation.
Taluk panchayat president Yashwant Deraje, local zilla panchayat member D S Mamata Gatti, rural police station assistant sub-inspector Jayakar, revenue inspector Narayan Poojary and others visited the spot.