SHIVAMOGGA: A 43-year-old industrialist, who tried to rescue his family members from an accidental fire that engulfed his house here, died due to suffocation on Sunday.
Sharath S Bhoopalam was from the well-regarded Bhoopalam family in Shivamogga city and owned two factories that manufacture auto spare parts. Police said Sharath's house on Kuvempu road caught fire due to a short circuit early Sunday. As he tried to rescue his parents, wife and two children, he collapsed after inhaling thick smoke.
Took an hour to douse fire Sharath was rushed to a hospital where he died, police said.
District fire officer BR Ashok Kumar told TOI that the fire started in the drawing room and spread to Sharath's bedroom in no time. It took more than an hour for the fire force personnel to bring the raging fire under control.
Shivamogga superintendent of police Mithun Kumar GK said jurisdictional police are investigating the case. Sharath was cremated late in the evening.
Sharath is a son of Bhoopalam Shashidhara, a reputed businessman of Shivamogga. Former president of Shivamogga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vasudev, said Sharath has contributed to the growth of industry in Malnad.