Bengaluru: Two people died due to burn injuries as a fire broke out in a furniture manufacturing firm at Vinayaka Nagar in Guddadahalli on Mysore Road on Friday afternoon.

Police said the incident occurred at around 12.50 pm on the ground floor of a four-storey building and the deceased have been identified as Mehtab (27), hailing from Delhi, and Abdul Hafeez (35), hailing from Shivamogga, who was also a maulvi at the madrasa on the first floor of the same building.

While the cause of the fire is still being investigated, eyewitnesses claim that it spread quickly and provided little time for the workers to escape. According to neighbours, there were around six people working in the firm minutes before the fire broke out. As it was Friday, four had gone to nearby mosque for prayers.

The fire department officials who rushed to the spot rescued 10 people from the building, including four children and three women. As many as 10 fire trucks were pressed into service. According to fire officials, the factory had a stock of foam and other materials used to manufacture office chairs.

Major tragedy averted
A major tragedy was averted as Friday happened to be a holiday for the madrasa students. More than 15 children attend the madrasa, located in the same building.

The incident could also have resulted in more damages had the fire spread to the first floor. J.J. Nagar police have registered a case and begun investigation.