<br/>Death and devastation gripped Old Airport Road in Bangalore yesterday when fire broke out in a seven-storey Carlton Tower building killing nine people and injuring over 50. Nineteen of the injured are in critical condition. Home Minister V S Acharya has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the tragic incident. Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured. The Government will also bear the medical expenses of the injured. The Jeevan Bima Nagar police have booked a case of negligence, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and two cases under IPC 337 and 335. Raising questions on the fire safety standards at Carlton Towers, the Fire Department cited illegal hoardings, a canteen and other unauthorised constructions, including building pillars encroaching the space, and lack of mock fire drills.<br/>