Patna Fire Accident: A tragic incident occurred Saturday night in Bakhtiyarpur, about 50 kilometres from Patna, Bihar’s capital. A massive fire suddenly broke out at a motorcycle parts shop and the adjoining house situated on the Old Bypass. Locals rushed the victims—who had suffered severe burns—to the hospital, where doctors declared all three dead.
The deceased have been identified as the shop owner Pankaj’s mother, Geeta Devi (50); his wife, Reema Devi (30); and his five-month-old niece. The incident has sent shockwaves through the area. Meanwhile, the infant’s parents saved their lives by jumping from the roof; the mother suffered a broken leg during the escape. Chaos ensued in the locality following the tragedy.
How the massive fire started
Locals reported that a ‘Shiv-Charcha’ (a religious gathering dedicated to Lord Shiva) was underway at the home of the shop owner, Pankaj. A *havan* (ritual fire ceremony) was performed during the event, and authorities suspect the fire started then. The premises housed a mobile phone shop, and the house was also stocked with mobile phones; flammable materials caused the fire to spread rapidly. Four people were trapped inside the house after the fire broke out. Rescue teams managed to safely evacuate one woman, but three others remained trapped inside.
According to eyewitnesses, Pankaj’s sister jumped from the roof to save herself when the fire started. However, her infant daughter was still inside the house. She rushed back into the burning building to save the child. While she was caught in the flames during this attempt, she was rescued alive. Tragically, the shop owner’s mother, wife, and five-month-old niece lost their lives due to severe burns.
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Police are investigating and trying to determine the origin of the blaze. A pall of gloom has descended upon the area following the tragedy, with the community mourning the deaths of the mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, and the infant. The precise cause of the fire in the shop and house will only be clarified after the police investigation concludes.