According to authorities, five people have so far died in a fire that broke out at a Durga Puja pandal in Uttar Pradesh’s Bhadoi district. Three of them were minors.
During the Aarti ceremony to celebrate Saptami, or the seventh day of Navratri celebrations, a fire broke out on Sunday in Aurai town near the pandal.
The Bhadohi DM, Gaurang Rathi, said, “The death toll in the Bhadohi Durga Puja pandal fire incident has risen to five. Three children and two women have died.”
Three of the five people who died belonged to the same family, including Jai Devi and her two grandchildren, which has left the family in shock.
Jai Devi’s husband said, “Along with my wife, three of her daughters-in-law and two grandchildren had gone to the pandal. While the woman and one of the children died in hospital, one more child died this morning at home”.
“The death toll has reached three in the Bhadohi Durga Puja pandal matter. A 12-year-old boy, a 10-year-old boy, and a 45-year-old woman died in the incident,” the DM said.
The incident was reported on Sunday night by Bhadohi SP Anil Kumar, who stated that the fire started during aarti.
“At around 9 pm, a fire broke out at the Durga Puja pandal in Bhadohi as it was the time of aarti. Around 10–15 people were injured and were immediately rushed to the hospital,” the SP said.
According to Bhadohi DM Gaurang Rathi, a short circuit was the likely cause of the tragedy.
“Around 150 people were present during the Durga Puja aarti when the fire broke out. 52 people were admitted to different hospitals. People with 30–40% burns have been admitted to trauma centers, and all patients are stable. Prima facie, the incident happened due to a short circuit, further probe is on,” the DM said late Sunday night.