THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ranjith, a 32-year-old firefighter with the state Fire and Rescue Services' Chakka unit, perished while attempting to put out a large fire that broke out at a state-run drug warehouse here in the early hours of Tuesday, according to police. The tragedy occurred when a portion of the fire-hit building collapsed over him as he was busy putting out the raging flames.
After discovering that a significant fire had broken out at a warehouse close to Kinfra Industrial Park, he and his fellow firefighters hurried there. By 1.30 am, the fire had destroyed the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL)-owned drug storage. According to a police officer, the warehouse's security guard discovered the fire first and alerted the fire department. He further said to the media, "A beam of the building suddenly fell upon the fireman, crushing him. He was rushed to the hospital but he succumbed to the injuries,"
He said, "Several units of fire service personnel raced to the scene to douse the flames and the blaze was put out." Many people sent their condolences in response to the young fireman's tragic death while performing his duties. In light of the tragedy, the chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the minister of general education and labor V Sivankutty, and the leader of the opposition in the assembly V D Satheesan all expressed their sorrow.
The Chief Minister stated in a message that he sent Ranjith's family members his condolences. In a Facebook post, Minister Sivankutty described the building fire as "unfortunate" and promised that the government will look into it. The destruction of another KMSCL warehouse by fire in the Kollam area last week prompted Health Minister Veena George to order an investigation.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but it took many hours for it to be put out. KMSCL officials worry that they will lose more than Rs 1 crore. Residents in the area claimed that a loud noise woke them up before they learned there was a fire at the godown.
Ranjith was hurt, according to Shafi, when hollow bricks fell on him when a shutter cracked. Even though he was being treated at the KIMS Hospital, he passed away. Renjith had been working for the government for six years and was an Attingal native.
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