Diwali celebrations in Jalandhar turned tragic after a fire broke out at a residential house in Nijatam Nagar, claiming the life of a 65-year-old paralysed man and his pet dog. The incident reportedly occurred after a burning firecracker landed on the second floor of the house, triggering a fire inside a room.
The incident took place in Street No. 6 of Nijatam Nagar on Diwali night, November 8. According to local reports, the elderly man was inside the house when the fire broke out, while other family members were away.
The suspected firecracker spark quickly developed into a major blaze, leaving the elderly man unable to escape. He reportedly died after being trapped inside the burning room.
Fire spreads rapidly, elderly man unable to escape
According to reports, firecrackers were being burst in the neighbourhood when a burning firecracker allegedly landed on the second floor of the house. The sparks are suspected to have ignited combustible material inside the room, causing the fire to spread rapidly.
As the man was paralysed and unable to move freely, he could not make his way out of the room before the flames engulfed it. He suffered fatal burn injuries.
Deceased identified as artist Channa Dholiya
The deceased was identified as Channa Dholiya, who was an artist. Former Jalandhar MP Sushil Kumar Rinku, who reached the spot after the incident, shared details about the victim and his medical condition.
According to Rinku, Channa Dholiya had recently suffered a paralysis attack, following which his legs stopped functioning. His family members had been looking after him and taking care of his needs.
Rinku said that by the time the fire brigade could reach the spot, the fire had already gone out of control, leaving little chance of rescuing the elderly man from the burning room.
Pet dog also dies in the blaze
The fire also engulfed the family's pet dog, which was reportedly inside the house. The animal could not escape the flames and died in the incident.
The incident left the neighbourhood in shock, with residents rushing to help after noticing the fire.
Rinku assures support, seeks government compensation
Sushil Kumar Rinku expressed grief over the tragic incident and said he would take up the matter with the Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner.
He said he would request the district administration to provide government compensation to the bereaved family for the loss suffered in the fire. His intervention is aimed at ensuring that the affected family receives the necessary assistance following the tragedy.
Fire brigade brings blaze under control
Following the alert, fire brigade teams rushed to the spot and launched firefighting operations. The blaze was brought under control after nearly an hour of efforts, according to local reports.
However, the room and its contents were extensively damaged, with household belongings reduced to ashes.
Firecracker safety concerns resurface
The tragedy has once again highlighted the fire risks associated with fireworks during festive celebrations, particularly in residential areas.
While a firecracker spark is suspected to have triggered the blaze, the exact cause will need to be established through an official investigation. The incident also underlines the importance of keeping vulnerable elderly residents and people with limited mobility safe during celebrations.