Two of the nine Lord Ayyappa devotees injured in a fire accident at a temple in Hubballi on December 23 succumbed to injuries early Thursday morning. The Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute (KMC-RI), Hubballi, where the injured are receiving treatment confirmed that the remaining seven injured individuals continue to receive treatment.
Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute, Hubbali said, "Two Ayyappa Maladharis (devotees of Lord Ayyappa) injured in a fire incident in Hubbali on 23rd December, succumbed today early morning. Treatment of the rest of the 7 injured continues."
On Monday, the incident occurred at the Shiva temple in Achhavva Colony, Sainagar, Unkal. According to the Vidyanagar police, the fire was triggered by the mishandling of an LPG stove. A devotee allegedly mishandled the LPG stove resulting in a gas leak and a subsequent cylinder explosion around 1 AM. Neighbours said that the fire spread rapidly as oil lamps were burning inside the temple, as per a report on Times of India.
The devotees who were sleeping in a room with only one door and window got trapped in the incident. The local residents said that the victims, who had performed Ayyappa Swami puja earlier that night, lacked protective blankets or covers to shield themselves from the flames.
Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara, after visiting the injured at KMC-RI Hospital and meeting their families, assured that the state government would provide support. He stated that a request would be made to the Chief Minister to release compensation from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the victims who sustained severe burns.