Restaurant owners face negligence charges after Mysuru fire

MYSURU, June 17, 2026 — Police in Mysuru have registered legal cases against two restaurant owners on charges of negligence after a fire at a popular local eatery resulted in deaths and multiple injuries, officials said.

The blaze broke out at the Fox Den restaurant and bar in the Dattagalli area on Monday afternoon, killing two workers and injuring at least six others, including the proprietors. Preliminary fire department reports indicate the incident may have started due to an electrical short circuit, with rapidly spreading flames fed by wooden fixtures and decorative materials.

Restaurant negligence charges and investigation

Officials said Mysuru City Police booked the owners, identified as Preetham Puneeth and Keshavamurthy, under sections related to causing death by negligence and endangering life or personal safety. Investigators have taken the case forward to determine whether fire safety norms were adequately followed at the establishment. 

Fire and rescue personnel responded to a distress call around 3:15 pm, extinguishing the blaze and evacuating more than a dozen patrons and staff from the smoke-filled premises. Emergency responders used ladders to reach upper levels of the two-storey building. 

Victims and hospital care

Authorities have identified the deceased as Sahin, 26, from Darjeeling, and Prakash, 24, from Nepal, both employed in the restaurant’s kitchen. Several injured persons, including customers and staff, were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Police said conditions ranged from burns to minor injuries sustained during escape. 

Safety concerns escalate among public establishments

The case has heightened public attention on fire safety compliance at restaurants and bars. City officials emphasized the need for strict adherence to electrical and fire safety codes to prevent similar tragedies. Police are examining licensing, occupancy limits and adherence to mandated safety equipment standards as part of the ongoing inquiry.

“We have registered the matter and are conducting a thorough investigation,” said a senior Mysuru police official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to procedural protocols.

Formal charges may lead to court proceedings if investigators confirm breaches of fire safety regulations. Authorities have urged business owners in Mysuru and beyond to review compliance with statutory safety norms.

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