A devastating early morning fire in Prayagraj on Wednesday turned fatal, claiming the life of a 37-year-old man while his wife and minor daughter were left fighting for their lives. The tragedy unfolded at a three-storey house in Gali No. 12, Ganga Nagar, sending shockwaves through the local community.
The Tragic Sequence of Events
The Prayagraj fire control room received a distress call at 4:45 am alerting them to a blaze at the residence of the late Panna Lal. Two fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the scene. Chief Fire Officer Chandra Mohan stated that the house was occupied by 14 family members—nine adults and five children—at the time of the incident.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire originated on the ground floor. Sparking in one of the four parked two-wheelers—which included two bikes and two scooters—is believed to be the cause. While the flames were largely confined to one room, lethal smoke quickly spread to the upper floors.
Rescue Efforts and Casualties
The smoke proved deadly on the second floor, where it rendered three family members unconscious. The victims were identified as Ajay Anand (also known as Ritik), his wife Vandana, and their young daughter Shreeya. With the assistance of local police, neighbours rushed the trio to a nearby hospital.
Despite all efforts, Ajay Anand succumbed to smoke inhalation. His wife and daughter remain under medical care. Firefighters battled the blaze for approximately two hours before bringing it under full control. The inferno completely destroyed the four two-wheelers and reduced several household items to ashes.
Investigation and Aftermath
A joint team from the Cantt police station and the fire department has launched a detailed probe into the incident. This tragedy underscores the critical importance of fire safety measures in residential buildings, especially concerning the storage and parking of vehicles.
The incident in Ganga Nagar serves as a grim reminder of how quickly a small spark can lead to a major disaster, claiming lives and destroying homes. The community is now mourning the loss while hoping for the swift recovery of the injured.
