Odisha woman charred to death in ‘forest fire’!

In a heart-rending incident, a woman allegedly died after being caught in a swift-spreading ‘forest fire’. The inferno occurred near Gobari village under Mahabirod Police Limits and Kamakhyanagar block in Dhenkanal district, on Monday.

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While trying to fend off the encroaching flames advancing towards her home, the woman found herself trapped by the fire. The victim woman was identified as Budhini Mahanta from Gobari village, a senior cop from Mahabirod Police Station said.

According to sources, the woman was standing near an irrigation canal and was attempting to extinguish the forest fire. However, in a tragic turn of events, she was unable to escape the rapidly spreading flames leading to her untimely death.

How the woman got burned?

“Due to some reason, the fire rapidly spread near Budhini's house. Gradually, it approached her home, and to extinguish it, Budhini climbed a nearby canal. However, her foot slipped, and she fell into the fire below. The blaze was so intense that she couldn’t escape and was burned alive,” an eyewitness stated.

On being informed by some locals, Mahabirod Police arrived at the spot and initiated a probe into the death, which is underway. Police have recovered the woman’s body and sent it to a nearby hospital for post-mortem.

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“The exact cause of the woman’s death can be ascertained only after a post-mortem report comes in,” the senior cop said.

No comments were received from the district Forest Department in this regard.