Patna: A devastating fire erupted unexpectedly on Thursday morning at Pal Hotel, situated a mere 50 meters away from Patna Junction. The blaze quickly spread to three adjacent hotels, resulting in a tragic loss of life, with six individuals, including a mother and daughter, succumbing to the flames. Among the casualties were three females and three males, according to City SP Central Satya Prakash. The condition of two of the injured remains critical, with a further 20 individuals currently receiving treatment at Patna Medical College (PMCH).
Identifications have been made for four of the deceased. Dinesh Singh Kushwaha, an employee of the hotel, hailed from Bhabhua, Nakhtaul district. Raj Lokhi and her daughter Raj Lakshmi were residents of Purulia district, West Bengal. The fourth victim, Rahul Kumar, originated from Bhojpur. However, efforts to identify the remaining two victims are ongoing.
Amid the chaos, 45 individuals were successfully evacuated from the inferno. It took the combined efforts of the fire brigade, utilizing 51 water vehicles, approximately two hours to bring the blaze under control. Subsequently, rescue operations commenced within the hotel premises to recover the bodies.
The fire’s intensity prompted the closure of the road leading to Patna station. The four-story building was engulfed on all floors, necessitating the use of hydra cranes to aid in the evacuation of trapped individuals. Initial investigations suggest that the fire originated from a cylinder explosion within the hotel, subsequently spreading to neighboring structures.
Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the events unfolding. A BSF jawan recounted witnessing the initial stages of the fire, noting the rapid escalation as multiple cylinders ignited, causing panic among patrons and staff alike.
Commandant of Fire Services, Manoj Kumar, leading the rescue efforts, credited the use of hydraulic platforms for containing the blaze, emphasizing that without their intervention, the casualty count could have been significantly higher.
In coordination with the Bihar Home Guard, IG M Sunil Nayak confirmed the rescue of 35 individuals, with 15 already receiving medical attention. The monumental effort involved 51 vehicles deployed by the fire brigade to quell the flames, ensuring the safety and well-being of those affected by the tragedy.
