A pall of grief descended on Murshidabad’s Ranitala early on Sunday after three siblings lost their lives in a devastating fire. Among the deceased are a seven-year-old girl and her two brothers.
According to locals, the victims were the children of migrant workers. The family, who had recently taken shelter in a temporary house after their residence was washed away by river erosion, were asleep when the blaze broke out. Neighbours rushed to the spot after hearing screams, but the fire had already engulfed the structure.
“The charred bodies of the children were later recovered. Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have been triggered by a gas cylinder explosion. The grief-stricken parents remain inconsolable, reeling from the compounded loss of both their home and their children,” said a police officer.
Residents of Murshidabad have long complained about the rising threat of Ganga erosion. Despite official initiatives to strengthen embankments and plant vegetation along the riverbanks, locals allege that projects are being delayed, worsening the risks faced by vulnerable families.
Meanwhile, tragedy struck Hooghly on Sunday morning when a series of explosions rocked the Chapadanga bus stand area in Tarakeswar around 8:30 am. Three gas cylinders reportedly burst inside a chop shop, sparking a massive blaze. Within minutes, six establishments, including a restaurant and a flower shop, were reduced to ashes.
The twin incidents have raised concerns about fire safety and timely enforcement of preventive measures across the state.
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