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Mangaluru-based tech professional Sharmila was found unconscious after a fire broke out in her rented house in Ramamurthy Nagar; police suspect suffocation as cause of death.
A 34-year-old woman software engineer lost her life after being trapped in thick smoke following a fire inside her rented home in Bengaluru, in an incident that occurred on the night of January 3 but came to light later.
The deceased has been identified as Sharmila, a native of Mangaluru and a software engineer with Accenture. She was staying alone in a rented house at Subramanya Layout, which falls under the Ramamurthy Nagar police station limits.
According to the police, around 10.30 pm, the house owner Vijayendra noticed fire and heavy smoke coming out of Sharmila’s room. He immediately alerted the Ramamurthy Nagar police, following which police personnel and fire and emergency services rushed to the spot.
As the house was locked from inside, the police broke open the door and entered the house. They found that both the room and hall were engulfed in smoke, with a fire having damaged the interiors. Firefighters and police quickly doused the flames.
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During the inspection, Sharmila was found lying unconscious inside the house. She was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital, where doctors, after examination, declared her dead.
Preliminary investigation suggests that Sharmila may have died due to suffocation, as she was unable to escape the room once the fire broke out. The blaze had completely destroyed household items, including the bed, curtains and other furniture in the room.
Sharmila had moved to Bengaluru about a year ago for work. She is the daughter of Kushalappa, a resident of Mangaluru.
Police are currently investigating the exact cause of the fire. Officials said the fire could have been triggered by a short circuit, a bedside lamp or a candle, but the exact reason is yet to be confirmed.
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A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team has visited the scene and conducted a detailed inspection. Police said they are awaiting the forensic report to determine how the fire started.
The Ramamurthy Nagar police have registered a case under Unnatural Death Report (UDR) and further investigation is underway.
