Mysuru, 15 June

Two people were killed and seven others injured after a massive fire broke out at a pub and restaurant near Netaji Circle on the Outer Ring Road at Dattagalli Fourth Stage in Mysuru on Monday.

Police said the fire, suspected to have been caused by a short circuit, engulfed the Fox Den Bar and Restaurant at around 3.15pm. More than 25 people were inside the premises when the blaze erupted, with some attempting to escape by jumping from the building.

The deceased are Sahil and Prakash, both cooks at the establishment and natives of West Bengal and Chhattisgarh, respectively. The injured included the pub owner, manager and cashier. They were shifted to Suyog Hospital and other private hospitals for treatment.

Divisional Fire Officer Rangaanath said personnel from the Saraswathipuram and Hebbal fire stations rushed to the spot with two ladder units and rescued around 15 customers and employees. The bodies of the two cooks were later recovered from the kitchen.

He said the absence of an emergency exit hampered evacuation efforts, while the fire spread rapidly as the terrace roof was covered with thatched paddy straw.

A case has been registered at the Kuvempunagar police station.