A devastating house fire in the early hours of Thursday claimed the life of an 85-year-old woman in Jamshedpur, leaving the Steel City community in shock. The tragic incident occurred in the Indiranagar area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Sitaramdera police station.
Victim Identified as Shobha Mukherjee
The deceased has been identified as Shobha Mukherjee, an elderly resident who was asleep when the fire erupted at her home. According to preliminary reports, family members present at the scene were unable to move her to safety as the flames rapidly engulfed the premises, resulting in her being burnt alive.
Police Investigation Points to Electrical Fault
Niranjan Kumar, the officer-in-charge of Sitaramdera police station, provided details about the ongoing investigation. "The actual cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained through a thorough examination," he stated. "However, our preliminary investigation suggests that the fire likely broke out due to a short circuit in the electrical system."
Multiple fire engines were dispatched to the location and managed to douse the blaze after considerable effort. The intensity of the fire required significant resources to bring under control.
Family Alleges Delayed Emergency Response
In a heartbreaking turn, Mukherjee's family members have raised serious concerns about the emergency response timeline. They claim that the elderly woman might have been saved if the fire tenders had arrived at the scene more promptly.
The family's allegations highlight potential issues in emergency service response times in residential areas, raising questions about fire safety protocols and infrastructure in urban neighborhoods.
This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by elderly residents living alone or with limited mobility. Fire safety measures, particularly in homes with senior citizens, require heightened attention and regular maintenance to prevent such devastating outcomes.
The local authorities continue their investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire while the community mourns the loss of an elderly member under such tragic circumstances.
