BBMP fire breakout: Chief engineer CM Shivakumar dies of sepsis, multiple organ failure

A statement by the hospital said, “Mr. C M SHIVAKUMAR 45 Years male, came to our hospital with alleged history of accidental thermal burns and sustained burns injury to bilateral upper limbs, chest, face and neck (diagnosed as 25 % burns with inhalational injury, ARDS with Type II Respiratory Failure with high Fio2 requirement, Sepsis with septic shock). Patient took initial treatment at an outside hospital and later he was referred to our hospital in view of severe hypoxia, hypercarbia, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, sepsis with septic shock, AKI and Grade-3-4 burns injury.”

A native of Nanjangud, Shivakumar was appointed as the assistant executive engineer of the BBMP in 2005. However, he later went on to become the chief engineer of the BBMP’s Quality Control and Quality Assurance Division.

Sivakumar’s body will be taken to Victoria Hospital for a post-mortem examination, following which, it will be taken to his residence in Rajarajeshwari Nagar. On Thursday, the mortal remains will be taken to Nanjangud for the final rites.

Condoling the death of Shivakumar, BBMP commissioner Tushar Giri Nath said, “I express deepest condolences to the family of Shivakumar. It is an irreparable loss. Beyond the financial package, the civic body will discuss with the state government to announce a special package for his family.”

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, taking to social media, said, “Saddened to hear the news of the death of CM Shivakumar, Chief Engineer of Quality Control and Quality Assurance Department, who was seriously injured in the fire incident at the Quality Control Laboratory of BBMP. I pray that the soul of the deceased may rest in peace and his family may find strength to bear the grief.”

Meanwhile, B S Prahallad, the engineer in chief, is yet to submit a detailed report on the cause of the fire incident. Preliminary investigation suggested that the standard operating procedures were not followed while conducting the bitumen extract test.

Meanwhile, the Bengaluru police have booked two engineers, Ananda and Swamy, and Suresh Kumar, a BBMP official, for negligence in connection with the fire accident.

The trio have been booked under IPC Sections 337 (causing hurt by negligence) and 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others).