Nine persons were killed — three of them jumping to death in panic and 70 hurt — after a major fire broke out in Carlton Towers, a multi-storeyed commercial complex at Old Airport Road in Bangalore,today.More than 150 people have been moved out of the burning building. Local hospitals are treating people for burns and the effects of smoke inhalation.The fire was brought under control and the building evacuated nearly two hours after it broke out at around 4.30 pm.
Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa visited the Manipal Hospital where victims are being treated. Expressing his condolences to the families of the deceased, he said: “This was indeed a very unfortunate accident.” Further, he announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs. 15,000 to those injured. “The State government will bear all medical expenses of those injured in this accident,” Mr. Yeddyurappa announced.
