Periyapatna: A farmer was seriously injured when a tobacco barn caught fire reducing the barn to ashes at Naganahalli Palya in the taluk last evening.

The injured has been identified as Venkatesh Bhovi, who is undergoing treatment at a private hospital here.

Venkatesh had stocked raw tobacco and had also stocked processed tobacco worth about Rs.1.5 lakh at his barn apart from other materials, which has been reduced to ashes.

When the fire engulfed the tobacco barn, Venkatesh tried to extinguish the fire during which he sustained serious burn injuries on his hands and legs. Though Fire and Emergency Services personnel rushed to the spot and doused the fire, the fire had reduced the tobacco       to ashes.

Venkatesh has urged the officials of the Tobacco Board who visited the spot to provide compensation for the loss he had incurred. Betadapura Police, who have registered a case in this regard, are investigating.