Fire creates panic at hotel

FIGHTING A BLAZE: Fire and Emergency Services personnel preparing to put out a fire that broke out at Hotel Capitol in Bangalore on Tuesday.

BANGALORE: Fire broke out at the basement of Hotel Capitol following a short circuit at an electricity panel here on Tuesday. Though there were no causalities, the incident created panic among the occupants, making it difficult for the Fire and Emergency Services personnel to access the source of the conflagration. According to eyewitness accounts, two persons came out running from the basement around 1.30 p.m. shouting that sparks were flying out of the electricity panel.
Thick smoke emanated from the panel, which is located on the second level of the basement Hotel staff and policemen, posted on duty just outside the hotel in view of a protest march, alerted the Fire and Emergency Services. The personnel took an hour to douse the blaze and remove the burnt panel and the cable wire. Director of Fire and Emergency Services B.G. Chengappa said the thick smoke prevented the hotel personnel using the fire fighting equipment installed in the basement. It was left to the firemen wearing protective gear to fight the blaze. Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa is attending a function at the hotel where he is releasing the revised policy document on the Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science and Technology on Wednesday.