Trapped victims turn citizen journalists

People trapped in Carlton Towers off the Old Airport Road in East Bangalore played the citizen journalist shortly after fire broke out on the third floor of the building, reports Salil Mekaad.

People trapped in Carlton Towers off the Old Airport Road in East Bangalore played the citizen journalist shortly after fire broke out on the third floor of the building.

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Those trapped and onlookers, who had gathered outside the building, posted accounts of the blaze and rescue operations on the Internet.

Carlton Towers houses two restaurants — Indi Joe’s and Bombay Post — and a pub — TGIF — apart from several offices.

“My first attempt was to pacify my mother and sister who have just moved to Bangalore from Jharkhand. I was sure they would be watching the entire incident on television,” said Bharat Shukla, a software professional rescued from sixth floor of the building, told Hindustan Times.

Most of those trapped inside the building had Internet connectivity on their mobiles which enabled them to get in touch with the outside world.