A heartbreaking incident in Gurgaon has resulted in the death of an 11-year-old girl and left four of her family members hospitalised. The tragedy occurred in the Bilaspur area after the family went to sleep with a burning coal brazier, or angithi, inside their closed room to keep warm on a cold night.
The Fatal Night in Bilaspur
The incident took place on Tuesday night near the Om Shanti Retreat Centre. The family, originally from Hardoi in Uttar Pradesh, had been living and working as labourers in the area for the past eight years. According to police details, the head of the family, Ravindra, along with his wife Mithlesh and their children—14-year-old son Karan, and daughters Lakshmi and Gudiya—lit the angithi inside their room to combat the chill.
Unaware of the grave danger, the family went to sleep while the coal brazier was still burning. This led to the accumulation of toxic fumes, primarily carbon monoxide, in the poorly ventilated room. During the night, all five family members began to suffocate.
Death and Hospitalisation
Tragically, 11-year-old Gudiya succumbed to suffocation on the spot. Her parents and siblings were found unconscious later. They were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency medical treatment. A police officer from the Bilaspur police station confirmed the cause of death and provided an update on the survivors.
"All other family members are out of danger and undergoing treatment," the officer stated, adding that their condition was reported as stable. The body of the young girl has been placed in the mortuary, and an autopsy will be conducted as part of the standard procedure.
A Preventable Tragedy and a Stark Reminder
This incident highlights the severe, often fatal, risks associated with using traditional heating methods like coal braziers in enclosed spaces. Every winter, similar cases of carbon monoxide poisoning are reported across North India, where people use angithis and heaters without adequate ventilation.
The Gurgaon police have reiterated warnings about the dangers of burning coal or wood indoors. This tragic event in Bilaspur serves as a stark reminder for communities, especially those in temporary or informal housing, to prioritise safety and ensure proper airflow when using any source of heat that consumes oxygen and produces fumes.
