A major fire erupted in a rented house in Hazaribag district on Wednesday, completely destroying household goods valued at approximately Rs 10 lakh. The incident occurred in Banaso village, leaving eight traders from West Bengal, who had been residing there for over a decade, facing massive financial losses.
Traders' Livelihood Goes Up in Flames
According to police sources, the eight affected individuals had been living in the house on rent for the past 12 years. They were engaged in the business of selling various household items, including quilts, mattresses, cushions, and chairs. The rented premises served as both their living quarters and a storage facility for their saleable stock.
Every morning, the traders would leave the house carrying goods to sell in different localities. On the fateful day of the fire, four of them had already gone out for their daily sales, while two others were sitting outside the house. This fortunate timing likely prevented any loss of life.
Sudden Inferno Engulfs House and Stock
Witnesses reported that the fire broke out suddenly and spread rapidly, engulfing the entire structure. The blaze reduced the traders' entire inventory, accumulated over years of hard work, to ashes in a short period.
Officer in-charge (OC) Sapan Kumar Mahatha of the Vishnugarh police station confirmed the details of the incident. He stated that while no casualties or injuries were reported, the economic impact on the traders was severe. "The affected traders have suffered a loss of around Rs 10 lakh," OC Mahatha said.
Short Circuit Suspected as Cause
While a detailed investigation is underway, preliminary information from the police points towards an electrical fault. Short circuit is suspected to be the cause of the devastating fire, officials indicated.
The incident highlights the risks faced by small-scale traders and migrant workers who often live and store their goods in the same premises. The total destruction of their stock in a single event represents a catastrophic setback to their livelihood, with the loss amounting to ten lakh rupees.
