Fireman dies while trying to put out fire at medicine godown

A Kerala Fire and Rescue Services personnel was killed while trying to put out fire at a godown of the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL) in Thiruvananthapuram during the early hours of Tuesday.

It was the second instance of fire at the godown of KMSCL in a week's time and hence the opposition Congress raised suspicions.

Renjith J S, 32, a fire rescue officer of Chakai fire station in the city was killed after a building collapsed during the fire.

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The fire broke out at the godown at KINFRA park at Thumba on the suburbs of the city by around 1 am. Chemical reactions of bleaching powder kept in the godown was suspected to have triggered the fire.

There were allegations that the godown structure was a weak one and hence it collapsed during the fire. Renjith and other officials were trying to enter the godown by breaking the shutter when the wall collapsed. Others had a narrow escape.

Last week a similar fire broke out at a godown of the medical services corporation in Kollam district. It was also suspected to be due to the chemical reaction of bleaching powder and hot climate.

KMSCL managing director Jeevan Babu said that in view of the chances of fire, the bleaching powder was kept away from medicine stocks.

Opposition leader V D Satheesan said that the back-to-back fire incidents at KMSCL godown was mysterious as the agency, which supplies medicines to government hospitals, was facing corruption allegations.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the death of the fire and rescue service personnel.

Even though Renjith had earlier given consent for donating his organs, only his eyes could be transplanted as other organs were damaged in the mishap.