Boy dies of burns suffered at chemical dumping yard

A 14-year-old boy, on Sunday, succumbed to burns he had suffered due to a fire in an agriculture field caused due to chemical waste. The victim has been identified as Harshal, son of Murthy. He breathed his last at the K R Hospital where he was admitted for treatment.

Manoj, the 17-year-old friend of the victim, is undergoing treatment for serious injuries at the hospital.

The incident had occurred at Shadanahalli in the taluk on the evening of April 14 (Friday). Fire continues to blaze at the spot and firefighters are trying to douse it. Geologists have sent samples from the place for lab tests.

Harshal and Manoj had gone to the field, owned by Boregowda, to answer the nature’s call near a heap of chemical waste which looked like sand. Manoj suffered burns on his legs. Harshal, who tried to pull Manoj away, fell in the heap and suffered severe burns, the Metagalli police said.

It is said chemical waste is being dumped at the spot for a long time now. The fire has been raging in an area of 2.5 sq feet in the field. District fire services officer K P Gururaj told DH that the hot temperature may have triggered the fire.