A significant fire erupted on Thursday afternoon at the Father House residence located within the premises of Saint Mary's Church in Khandwa's Kotwali police station area. The blaze, which sent plumes of smoke and flames into the air, caused considerable alarm on the campus before being brought under control.
Quick Response Limits Damage
The incident occurred when Father Neelkamal, the usual resident, and most church staff were attending a Christmas celebration at the Teen Pulia church. A vigilant sanitation worker present near the building first noticed the fire and immediately alerted Police Constable Anurag, who was deployed on Christmas duty. Together, with the help of local residents, they initiated firefighting efforts using buckets and pots of water.
Khandwa SP Manoj Rai confirmed that police personnel and staff at the spot began combating the flames without delay. A fire tender was summoned and reached the church complex promptly after the alert. The combined efforts successfully contained the fire, preventing it from spreading to other structures.
Property Destroyed, Cause Investigated
While there were no reports of injuries, the property damage inside the room was substantial. Initial assessments indicate that items including a computer, monitor, scanner, bedding, and furniture were completely destroyed in the fire.
Preliminary information from the investigation suggests that the fire originated due to a suspected short circuit. Police authorities are conducting a detailed inquiry into the exact circumstances surrounding the electrical fault to determine the precise cause and prevent future incidents.
Community Effort Averts Major Tragedy
The swift action by the sanitation worker, Constable Anurag, locals, and the police team proved crucial in managing the emergency before the arrival of professional firefighters. This incident highlights the importance of vigilance and community cooperation, especially during festive seasons when premises may be less occupied. The timely response ensured that a potentially disastrous situation was mitigated, with damage confined to a single room.
