Minor boy charred to death inside Durga Puja mandap in Odisha’s Rourkela

A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in Rourkela in Odisha’s Sundargarh district on Tuesday, as a fire claimed the life of a young male child at a Durga Puja pandal situated near Telephone Bhawan in Sector-6.

Also Read: Odisha woman charred to death in ‘forest fire’!

Witnesses reported that several children were playing inside the pandal when the inferno erupted. While many managed to flee to safety, the victim child unfortunately remained inside and succumbed to the flames.

The origins and rapid escalation of the fire remained ascertained, prompting local authorities to launch an investigation into the incident.

As the community mourned this tragic loss, officials are striving to uncover the circumstances that led to the blaze. This mishap cast a shadow in the locality.

Communications from local police indicate that safety measures and preventive protocols at such festive venues are under scrutiny to prevent future occurrences.

“Tent materials belonging to the Durga Puja pandal were kept. Telephone Bhawan security guard should have been asked to keep vigil on the materials. Some children were playing at the pandal and the mishap occurred,” a resident, Suraj Suna stated.

Fire services allegedly reached late

Fire might have erupted from a lamp. The fire services team allegedly reached late, perhaps due to which the boy could not be saved, the resident further said.

“We just reached the spot after getting information. The fatal incident is being termed as an accidental fire. The victim boy was aged around 8-9 years. Three others were rescued by the locals,” Rourkela Additional SP Prabha Sankar Nayak expressed.

Must Read: 2 siblings charred to death as fire engulfs house in Kendrapara

“A detailed probe will help ascertain the exact cause behind the death,” the Additional SP added.