Mysuru restopub fire: At least 2 burnt to death at Fox Den Liquor Garage, Kannada film actor among several injured

At least two people were burnt to death on Monday after a fire broke out at a restopub within the Fox Den Liquor Garage in Mysuru's Dattagalli area.

Kannada film actor and influencer Preetham Puneeth, who owns the restopub, was also found to be among at least four others who were injured in the afternoon blaze, which was caused by a short circuit, as per initial reports.

The police have said that the short circuit took place with an electric bulb that was part of the decoration of 'Maara'—one part of the multi-level restopub Fox Den Liquor Garage, where the fire took place.

"The fire spread in an instant because there was dry grass. At this time, dense smoke and fire were seen, and customers and staff could not get out and tried to jump through the window," said City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar.

However, some local media reports have alleged that the fire was caused due to a gas cylinder explosion, which, again, spread quickly due to the dry grass in the restopub.

Dry grass and bamboo had been a part of the decorations of Maara, which was themed around the culture of the Maasai Mara, an African tribe.

The police also noted that Maara had more customers than usual, due to one of its special offers.

It was only after the fire brigade reached the spot, rescued a number of people inside, and extinguished the fire that they found two people had been trapped in the kitchen.

The deceased, who were unable to escape from the kitchen, were identified as Sahin (26), a Darjeeling native, and Prakash (24)—both kitchen crew at the restopub.

"The pub owner, Preetham, had an injury to his hand. The manager, Avinash, had a burn on his face. We admitted both of them to the hospital," said Mallikarjun, an eyewitness.

A case has been registered at the Kuvempunagara Police Station, which will probe the fire further.