Paralyzed Farmer Perishes in Late-Night Blaze
A devastating fire in a rural Kanpur village claimed the life of a paralyzed farmer late on Wednesday night. The incident occurred in a thatched tubewell shed located in Umri village, which falls under the Bhitargaon police area.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The victim has been identified as Rajjan Vishwakarma, aged 55, a resident of the same village. According to police reports, Vishwakarma had suffered a paralytic attack just three days prior, on Monday, which left him unable to walk. On the fateful night, he was also heavily intoxicated.
To combat the cold, Vishwakarma lit a bonfire outside the shed on Patari Road and subsequently fell asleep on a cot inside. Tragically, the flames from the bonfire spread, eventually engulfing the entire thatched structure. The burning roof collapsed on him while he slept.
Discovery and Response
Villagers, along with the tubewell owner Ashok Sachan, discovered the scene and found Vishwakarma's smouldering body amidst the flames. Authorities from the Sadh police station and the local fire brigade were promptly alerted and rushed to the site. They managed to extinguish the blaze. A forensic team later visited to collect evidence from the charred remains of the shed.
Providing further context, Sadh Station House Officer (SHO) Avneesh Kumar Singh revealed that the deceased was known to be an alcoholic. His wife currently lives with their daughter at her maternal home in Mumbai. The victim's brothers are employed in the private sector in Kanpur city.
Aftermath and Community Shock
The tragic event has sent shockwaves through the close-knit community of Umri village. It highlights the vulnerabilities faced by individuals living alone, especially those with health conditions. The police are treating the case as a tragic accident, with the initial investigation pointing to the combination of his paralysis, inebriated state, and the open bonfire as the primary causes.
