Three charred to death in fire at cracker warehouse near Haveri

Three workers charred to death in major fire at cracker warehouse in Haveri district. Wasim Shafi Ahmed (32) and Sheru Malappa Kattimani injured, Kalavati K.S. fell sick after inhaling smoke. Fire and Emergency Services personnel doused fire after five-hour operation. Cause of fire yet to be identified, sparks from welding work suspected.

In a major fire that broke out at a cracker warehouse at Aladakatti village in Haveri district on Tuesday, three workers were charred to death and three, including a woman residing next to the warehouse, have been admitted in hospital.

The deceased have been identified as 45-year-old Dyamappa Olekar, 28-year-old Ramesh Barik and 28-year-old Shivalinga Akki of Katenahalli village who worked at the house. The bodies were charred.

And, 32-year-old Wasim Shafi Ahmed of Tegginkeri in Harihar taluk, who had come for welding work, reportedly jumped out of the building from the first floor to escape from the fire. He was found unconscious with a broken backbone.

Along with him, another worker Sheru Malappa Kattimani, who too suffered injuries, has been admitted to hospital in Davangere.

The woman identified as Kalavati K.S., who resides next to the warehouse, fell sick after inhaling the smoke and has been admitted to the district hospital in Haveri.

The warehouse belongs to Bhoomika Distributors owned by Viresh Satenhalli of Haveri. He is said to have procured crackers worth over ₹1 crore for sales during the Ganesh festival and Deepavali. The warehouse is located in Aladakatti village on the Haveri-Hanagal Main Road. He has also opened a shop next to the warehouse.

According to eyewitnesses, as the crackers started bursting, a thick cloud of smoke engulfed the whole area forcing the residents of nearby localities to run helter-skelter. There was tension in the air for some time as the residents felt that there could be a blast as the warehouse had a huge stock of crackers.