Innovative Multiplex blaze kills one

 
The deceased has been identified as Velu, a native of Chennai, who was working as a canteen attendant. The police said Velu was fast asleep on the multiplex premises and could have died due to asphyxiation when the fire broke out.

Out of the four screens in the multiplex, Screen II was completely gutted while Screen I was partially damaged. The other two are intact. Around 2.35 am, security guards Janak saw thick smoke billowing out of the building and alerted the fire and police departments.

Ajith, in charge of the multiplex, told Deccan Herald that Screen II was completely damaged — four imported Cristy projectors from the United States and a satellite unit were reduced to ashes. The estimated loss is around Rs 5 crore.

The balcony seats of Screen I were also damaged in the fire. The high-end acoustics, including the white screen, were gutted. It might take more than a week to get back into functioning mode, Ajith said.

More than seven fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The fire brigade battled for three hours to bring the blaze under control.

Bescom inspectors and forensic experts said a report would be submitted within a week. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. HAL police have registered a case and are investigating all possible angles.

The police, however, suspect a mischief. Sources said Velu was a drunkard. Sometime late in the night he entered the generator room to fetch a blanket. He could not leave the room and was carried out of the premises after the fire was put out. Velu was so unaware of the situation around him that he requested the security personnel to allow him to sleep.

But around 8:30 am, when they tried to wake him up, he was found unconscious. He was immediately rushed to Manipal Hospital where he was declared dead.

The police do not have much information on Velu’s family background. All that is known is that he had earlier worked in Nartaki theatre on Kempegowda Road.

Since he was an alcoholic, he was irregular to work. He had lost the job at the multiplex but last week he was reinstated.