Major Fire Erupts at Perfume Warehouse Near Bengaluru, Injuring Five Workers
A severe accidental fire broke out at a perfume warehouse in Makali, near Nelamangala, on Sunday afternoon, resulting in injuries to five laborers and causing financial losses estimated to run into crores. The incident has raised serious concerns about fire safety protocols in industrial storage facilities.
Timeline and Cause of the Blaze
The fire ignited between 11:00 AM and 11:10 AM within a compressor unit located inside one of the storage units of the warehouse. According to preliminary inquiries by fire and emergency officials, the warehouse was stocked with perfume bottles by a private firm. The flames rapidly spread to adjacent stalls that stored air-conditioning equipment and other materials, exacerbating the situation.
The warehouse complex, owned by Lokesh and rented to various firms, consists of 7-8 storage units arranged in a row. The fire was contained to three of these units, but the damage was extensive. Senior fire officers reported that deodorants stored in cans acted as accelerants, fueling the rapid spread of the fire. Additionally, an adjacent air-conditioned stall contained small gas cylinders, leading to repeated explosions that significantly hampered firefighting efforts.
Injuries and Emergency Response
Five workers sustained injuries in the incident:
- Santosh, 26, from Kurabaramanahalli in Tumakuru district
- Vishwanath, 35
- Ramesh, 70
- Manjunath, 45
- Jayaram
All injured individuals managed to escape the warehouse before emergency teams arrived. Bystanders promptly transported them to Victoria Hospital and a private hospital for treatment. At the time of reporting, their medical conditions had not been fully ascertained.
The firefighting operation involved a substantial deployment of resources, including 11 vehicles—three water tankers, five bowsers, two foam tenders, and an SDRF canter—along with nearly 50 personnel. Due to the intensity of the blaze and intermittent explosions inside the 40x50 square-foot storage units, firefighters initially maintained a safe distance. The fire was brought under control by 4:30 PM, but damping operations continued beyond 7:00 PM.
Challenges in Firefighting and Allegations of Negligence
Officials noted that foam was not used during the operation because the burning materials did not warrant its application. Instead, nine water tankers and bowsers were repeatedly refilled using water available on the premises of a neighboring store. This logistical challenge prolonged the firefighting efforts.
Witnesses provided critical insights into the incident, alleging that negligence played a key role. They reported that the air-conditioning items destroyed in the fire belonged to a company manufacturing air conditioners and air purifiers, while the chemicals were stocked by a technology multinational that also sells fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) products. According to these witnesses, the accident occurred due to the negligence of the warehouse manager.
Further details emerged regarding the fire's progression: the power supply to the warehouse was disconnected, rendering fire extinguishers unusable. Workers inside rushed out as the fire spread, and the warehouse, spanning approximately 60,000 square feet, suffered significant damage. Witnesses claimed that although the owner had implemented fire safety measures, the incident was caused by the negligence of those working in the warehouse. They described how small air-conditioning cylinders burst sequentially, intensifying the blaze. Local residents joined the dousing operation, helping to prevent further damage.
One resident recounted, "We saw the fire in the warehouse. The AC units, perfumes, and other items were gutted. Around 45 people were working at the time of the incident. They came running out, and the warehouse partition had caught fire."
Police Investigation and Alarm Raised
Officials from the Madanayakanahalli police station have registered a case of accidental fire. The exact extent of property damage has not yet been assessed, as investigations are ongoing.
In a related development, the fire and emergency services were alerted by Ramakrishna, a retired officer of the department. He noticed the blaze while traveling by bus towards his home in Thyamagondlu. "I sensed it was a major fire. I called the fire and emergency services from the bus and asked them to send tenders immediately," he said. Ramakrishna later learned around 3:30 PM, after calling the helpline again while returning from a function in Tumakuru, that the fire was still not under control due to gas from perfume bottles continuing to feed the flames.
This incident underscores the critical need for stringent fire safety regulations and proactive measures in industrial warehouses to prevent such tragedies in the future.
