Katni, Nov 9 : At least 12 people lost their lives in MP Diwali fire tragedies after two separate blazes struck Katni and Seoni districts on Diwali night. The victims included a two-month-old infant, children and elderly people. The incidents devastated two families.
Six members of Agrawal family killed in Katni fire
In the first incident, a massive fire broke out in a three-storey building in Barhi town, Katni district, around midnight. Six members of an Agrawal family died in the blaze. The building housed a crockery shop on the ground floor.
The fire quickly spread from the shop to the upper floors. Family members were sleeping there when flames and thick smoke trapped them inside. They had little chance to escape.
The deceased were Puran Agrawal (77), his wife Chandrakala (74), daughter-in-law Poonam (35), Arya (14), Anvi (6) and a two-month-old infant.
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Two other family members escaped in the initial moments. Rescue teams worked throughout the night. They pulled out Puran Agrawal around 4.30 a.m.
Rescuers recovered the remaining five bodies around 6.30 a.m. They broke through a wall with the help of a JCB machine to reach them.
“The cause of the fire is not known at this stage. It is suspected that it could have been triggered by a diya or a short circuit, but the exact reason will be established only after an investigation,” Sub-Divisional Officer of Police Virendra Narve said.
Local residents alleged lapses in the firefighting response. They claimed the Barhi fire tender arrived with a damaged pipe. The vehicle from Vijayraghavgarh also reportedly had a faulty pipe.
Fire tenders from Kaimore and Katni Municipal Corporation later joined the operation. They brought the blaze under control.
Six killed in second fire in Seoni
In the second incident, a fire broke out at the residence of bullion trader Kundan Soni in Mahavir Ward, Chhapara town, Seoni district, around 3 a.m. The blaze killed six family members.
The deceased were Kundan Lal Soni (75), Rajkumari Soni (65), Ritu Soni (42), Smriti Soni (40), Surya Soni (45) and Aditya Soni (16).
Rescue teams saved four other family members, including two minors. They admitted the survivors to hospital. Ten people were inside the house when the fire broke out.
SDOP Lakhnadon Apoorva Bhalavi said the family members were asleep when the blaze erupted. They had little chance to escape.
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Probe underway into MP Diwali fire tragedies
Police are investigating both incidents. Officials have yet to establish what caused either fire.
The twin tragedies have raised concerns over fire safety arrangements and emergency response during festivals.
–IANS
