Muzaffarpur / Patna : A devastating fire broke out in a Dalit settlement in Muzaffarpur on Wednesday, claiming the lives of five people, including four children, and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The tragic incident occurred in Rampur Mani Panchayat, within the jurisdiction of Bariyarpur police station.
The fire reportedly began in the house of Golak Paswan, allegedly due to a short circuit, before rapidly spreading through the densely packed slum area, fanned by strong winds. Despite the efforts of residents to control the flames, the fire quickly escalated, engulfing over 50 homes in the settlement.
Muzaffarpur District Magistrate (DM) Subrata Kumar Sen confirmed that four children and one adult perished in the blaze. “The fire spread quickly, and due to the intensity of the flames, the children were unable to escape,” said Sen. He assured that the family of the deceased would be provided compensation, and that relief measures, including food and water for two days, had been arranged for the affected families.
Local residents described the scene of panic and chaos as children and the elderly struggled to escape the flames. Among the victims were three children from the same family, aged 8, 9, and 12, who tragically lost their lives in the fire.
The fire brigade and police were criticized for their delayed response. Villager Rakesh shared his frustration: “We informed the police when the fire started, but no one arrived in time. By the time the fire brigade got there, much of the damage had already been done.” While rescue operations were underway, 15 children remain missing, with efforts continuing to locate them.
The police have sent the bodies of the victims to the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) for post-mortem examination, and investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, the community is grappling with the aftermath of the disaster, as dozens of homes were reduced to ashes in the blaze.
