14 killed in Bengaluru firecracker shop fire

The death count in the fire accident at a cracker shop near Bengaluru reached 14 following the death of two more people, police sources said. While 12 people were charred to death on the spot at the shop-cum-godown at Attibele in Anekal Taluk, two others died while undergoing treatment. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar visited the spot and announced a compensaton of Rs 500,000 each to the kin of victims. Most of those who died were employed at the shop, police said, adding efforts are being taken to ascertain the identity of the victims. The incident occurred around 3.30 pm while unloading firecracker cartons from a vehicle. "Some employees were working inside the shop when the fire broke out," SP (Bengaluru Rural) said. "More than nine fire tenders were pressed into service, which has brought the fire under control," he added. The shop owner was stockpiling these crackers in view of Navaratri and Deepavali.