3 workers injured as boiler explodes

Three workers at a cloth dyeing and polishing unit in Cubbonpet were injured as a two-storey structure came crashing down on them when one of the boilers in the unit exploded on Thursday afternoon.

The explosion was so huge that windowpanes, household articles and aquariums in over 10 adjoining houses were damaged. A two-wheeler and some handlooms were also damaged in the explosion. Some of the adjoining structures developed cracks as well, said the police.

The injured, identified as Gurusiddappa, 35, Somashekhar, 50, and Tushanth, 30, were taken to St Martha’s Hospital for treatment. They are out of danger, the Ulsoor Gate police said, quoting doctors.

Jagannath, who was running the unit on Anjaneya temple road and had not taken any safety measures, was arrested after some local residents made a complaint against him. He did not have valid permission to run the unit. Besides, he had not taken any safety measures, the police said, adding that he had been booked for negligence.

About 15 workers are employed at the unit. Eight of them were working on Thursday afternoon while others were on leave on account of festival holidays. All the boilers were switched off as the work to clean the unit was going on.

Five workers left for the day around 12.30 pm. Moments later, a worker switched on a boiler but forgot to fill in the water. A while later, the boiler crossed the heat limit as there was no water, and exploded, the police said.

There was a huge thud and the adjoining two-story building came crashing down. Three workers were struck inside. Some local residents immediately called the police and the fire brigade. The firemen rushed to the spot and rescued the trio who were then taken to the hospital, the police added.

Dharmaraya Swamy Temple corporator P Dhanaraj visited the spot and met the local residents. When asked about the compensation, he said the incident occurred due to negligence of Jagannath, and the BBMP could not be blamed. The BBMP cannot compensate in such cases, he said.