Tirupati: A minor boy of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD)-run school for deaf and mute in Tirupati succumbed to injuries that he sustained in a fire accident last week.
Chandu, a 15-year-old 9th class student and resident of Rajaka colony in Tirupati, entered the storage room of the TTD deaf school on the night of November 21. He reportedly took turpentine oil in his mouth before attempting to ignite flames by spitting the oil.
However, Chandu accidentally caught fire during the stunt. Hearing his screams, school staff doused the fire and immediately rushed him to SVR Ruia Government General Hospital in Tirupati for treatment of his burns.
Chandu was later relocated to the specialised burns and plastic surgery department at CMC Vellore for intensive care. Despite five days of medical attention, the boy succumbed to his severe burns on the evening of Sunday.
TTD joint executive officer Sada Bhargavi dismissed speculation that the class 9 student had attempted self-immolation due to repression. She clarified that the boy took the turpentine oil in his mouth voluntarily to perform a fire stunt.
