3 sustain burns in transformer blast

Three people sustained serious burns when an electric transformer installed by Bescom exploded and fell on them near the BMTC depot in Koramangala 4th Block on Saturday evening. 

Narayan Naik, Sridhar and K Hemanth were on their two-wheelers when the electric transformer exploded, caught fire and fell on them. As they were screaming in pain, passersby rushed them to a nearby hospital.

Narayan Naik, who works with a private superspeciality hospital for nephro-urology care in Padmanabhanagar, was on his way to get blood for a patient at the hospital when the mishap took place. He suffered around 50 per cent burns and was rushed to St John's Hospital. His condition is critical, the police said.

Hemanth, a software engineer and resident of Adugodi, also suffered serious burns, but he is said to be out of danger. Sridhar, a private company employee who lives near Johnson Market, is also said to be critical. 

Amith Mahadev, who witnessed the explosion, told Deccan Herald: “All of a sudden an electric transformer exploded and sparks started flying. It fell on the bike riders. The injuries might be serious as the hot liquid from the transformer spilled on them.” Following the explosion, vendors and shopkeepers on the stretch immediately stopped the movement of vehicles and blocked the road till the police arrived. The police registered a case and sought a report from Bescom.