Mysore/Mysuru: A 75-year-old watchman was burnt alive in a fire that broke out at a defunct cinema theatre on KRS Road this morning.

The incident occurred at the premises of the now-defunct Gokul Theatre, where Marishetty, who had been working as a watchman for nearly 45 years, lost his life.

According to eye-witnesses and the Police, the fire broke out while Marishetty was cleaning the premises. Trapped in the flames and unable to escape, he was charred to death.

Marishetty, who lived nearby with his family, had gone to the theatre compound for routine work. When he did not return home, his family members went in search of him and found his burnt body at the spot.

According to his wife, her husband had told her he would return soon after finishing his work. “This was his daily routine. When he didn’t come back on time, I searched nearby hotels, the locality and even a temple. I also noticed smoke rising from the theatre, but assumed some workers had set fire to dry leaves. When I finally went inside, I found him burnt,’ she told reporters

Fire and Emergency Services personnel rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control.

V.V. Puram Police visited the spot and registered a case. The incident has shocked the local residents and his neighbours, as Marishetty was a familiar figure associated with the theatre for decades.