Student burnt alive in hostel fire Madikeri, Oct 9: A heartbreaking incident occurred in which a 7-year-old boy was burnt alive in a horrific fire that broke out in the early hours of the morning at the hostel of Harmandir School in Heravanad village near Katakeri under Bettageri Gram Panchayat.
Pushpak (7), a class 2 student, son of Kekadamane Anil Kumar and Triveni couple, residents of Chettimani in Kundacheri village, died, while the remaining 52 students sleeping in the hostel fortunately escaped death.
Harmandir School in Heravanad village has been running since 2019 through the Delhi-based non-governmental organization Indus Quality Foundation Trust. Free education is being provided here with a hostel system for students from LKG to 7th grade. A total of 102 students were studying in the school, out of which 72 students lived in the hostel. 53 students had returned to the hostel after the Dasara vacation.
Children who were in deep sleep
At around 4 am today, the hostel was covered in thick smoke and it was difficult to breathe. At this time, Babin Bidappa, a student of class 6, from Kalur village, woke up and opened the window and door of the room.
Babin, who was frightened by the flames, woke up the other students who were in deep sleep. Warden Sumitra, who was with him, also woke up and tried to get out of the building with the students. However, due to the thick smoke and fire, they were trapped inside the building for some time and could not get out, creating a situation where they were helpless. At this time, a student came through a window. Then the staff from another building came and broke the door open. In this way, everyone saved their lives.
When the students who had come out were counted, it was noticed that one student was missing, and at that time it came to light that Pushpak was trapped inside the hostel. Due to the flames and the smoke that was covering him, those present did not see even a trace of Pushpak at that moment. Pushpak woke up during the incident. However, the students who were with him told ‘Shakti’ that he became ill due to the smoke and collapsed and was burnt alive in the fire.
The staff informed the fire brigade about this, and a team that left from Madikeri used water cannons to douse the fire. At this time, Pushpak’s body was found in a charred condition. Two students and the warden Sumitra fell ill due to the incident and were immediately admitted to the district hospital for treatment (from the front page). Doctors have confirmed that his health condition is stable now and he is out of danger.
The escaped students were shifted to a nearby building. The parents of the children arrived and took their children. The Madikeri Rural Police Station, which reached the spot, conducted a search operation and registered a case.
Building fire
The school's hostel building caught fire due to a building accident. The damaged walls, tiles and installed ceiling, and charred wooden beams revealed the horror of the tragedy.
Arrangements were made for students to stay in 4 rooms of the building. 10 students were sleeping in the room where Pushpak was. It is learnt that the warden was also present here.
Officers rush
As soon as the incident was reported, officers and police rushed to the spot. District Collector Venkat Raja, Additional Superintendent of Police Barike Dinesh, Sub-Divisional Officer Nitin Chakki, G.P. Chief Executive Officer Anand Prakash Meena, Tahsildar Sridhar, DDPI Basavaraju and other officials visited and inspected the scene and consoled Pushpak's family.
Short circuit suspected
It is suspected that a short circuit was the cause of the accident. There was a power outage at night. Later, it is estimated that a short circuit may have occurred due to high voltage. An investigation has been conducted to find out the exact cause of the incident.
Shocking outburst
The parents who reached the spot after learning about the matter were shocked out of their wits. The incident also brought tears to the eyes of the staff and the residents around.
Father Anil, mother Triveni, and sister Sinchana were crying remembering Puppak. They are crying, saying, 'The situation where I cannot see my son's face will not end.'
When Pushpak came to enroll his daughter in school, he also insisted that he would join the school here. So we enrolled him here. Mother Triveni felt that they had just lost their son.
Mother who took action at the scene: Meanwhile, mother Triveni took action to call her son from the place of death. Holding a stick, she took the body home and said, "Son, come home" and performed the final rites there.
Burnt body - collection of samples
The body of Pushpak, the victim, was burnt to the point that no trace could be found. After conducting continuous operations and setting fire to the building, the police entered the building and searched it, and it was seen that the body was completely burnt.
Later, the police conducted a funeral and took some samples and bones of the body for post-mortem examination by doctors. The police wrapped the burnt body in a cloth and handed it over to the family.
Returned after vacation
Pushpak, who came to school with his parents on Sunday evening after the Dussehra vacation, had started staying in the hostel. When the message "School has started" came on his mobile, he was on his toes to go to school. Mother Triveni recalled that he had adapted to the school environment. Pushpak was very active. He got along with everyone.
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