THRISSUR : The forest fire at Deshamangalam in Thrissur has left 3 forest employees dead. All of them died from severe burns while fighting the blaze. Those who lost their lives are: forest tribal watcher Divakaran(63), a native of Vazhachal Adivasi colony ; watcher on contract basis, Velayudhan)63), from from Kumaraneloor in Vadakancherry and another watcher also on contract , Shankaran(55), a native of Kodumbu. The bodies of the dead have been moved to hospital morturary.
Velayudhan is survived by his family comprising : wife -Karthiyani ; children – Suneesh, Anilan and Subith and children-in-law – Smija, and Vijayan. Former President Erumapetty panchayat, AK Kannan is Velayudhan’s brother.Divakaran’s family includes wife Indira and one-year-old son Dhyaan. Shankaran leaves behind wife Indira and children : Sharath, Shanath.
Another employee ,Naushad - a guard - has been admitted into a private hospital at Cheruthuruthi after he fell unconscious from inhaling smoke.
The fire began around 1.30 pm Sunday noon. Fire brigade comprising 14 personnel arrived shortly after and together with locals doused the flames in some time. However strong winds swept in around 5 pm and the fires re-emerged, this time deadly, taking the lives of three men. Firefighters too sustained burns when the flames rose to light up thorny shrubbery on the heightsl. Several of them got caught with flames all around them. The whole area billowed thick smoke.
Fire tenders from ranges across the district have been pulled into efforts here. Minister AS Moideen issued instructions to the Collector and district officials to move all it takes to contain the fire. Minister Prof C Ravindranath reached the Medical College to give due directions. District Collector S Shanavaz is at the scene.
(Updating...)
