A tragic fire incident in a rented house in Bengaluru has claimed the life of a young software professional. The victim, identified as 34-year-old Sharmila Kushalappa, an employee of Accenture, succumbed to suspected suffocation from dense smoke late on January 3.
Neighbours Alert Authorities After Spotting Smoke
The incident unfolded at a residence in Subramanya Layout. According to police reports, neighbours noticed smoke emanating from the house around 10:30 pm and promptly alerted the homeowner, Vijayendra. He subsequently informed the Ramamurthy Nagar police station.
Fire and emergency services rushed to the spot. Rescue personnel had to force open the locked door to enter the premises. By then, the house was already filled with thick, toxic smoke. Firefighters managed to control the blaze and conducted a search inside.
Unconscious Victim Found, Declared Dead at Hospital
During their search, they found Sharmila Kushalappa lying unconscious. She was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, doctors declared her brought dead. Preliminary investigation by the police suggests that the fire originated in another room of the house, which was occupied by Sharmila's friend.
The friend was reportedly not present at the time, having travelled to her native place. Sharmila was staying alone in a separate room. Investigators theorise that as smoke rapidly filled the house, Sharmila may have opened her door and inhaled a large amount of fumes, causing her to collapse before she could escape.
Short Circuit Likely Cause; FSL Team Inspects Site
A senior police official stated that preliminary investigation indicates the fire may have been caused by a short circuit. However, the probe is still ongoing to determine the exact cause and the reason for the heavy smoke accumulation.
A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has inspected the spot for evidence. The police have registered an unnatural death case at the Ramamurthy Nagar police station, and further investigation is underway.
Sharmila Kushalappa, who hailed from Mangaluru, had moved to Bengaluru approximately a year ago for her professional career. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and highlights the critical importance of fire safety measures in residential buildings.
