A severe tragedy unfolded in the Old Bypass area of Bakhtiyarpur on Saturday evening when a sudden blaze erupted at a motorcycle spare parts shop and the residential quarters located directly behind it. The flames spread with terrifying speed, trapping the occupants inside before they could manage to escape. The catastrophic incident claimed the lives of three individuals, including a six-month-old infant.
According to local accounts, the property belongs to Pankaj Kumar, who operated the vehicle parts business from the front while his family lived in the connected living space. The fire originated in the commercial section and quickly escalated into a massive inferno, engulfing the entire residential structure within moments and leaving those trapped with virtually no time to react.
Identities of the Victims Confirmed
The victims who perished in the flames have been identified as 45-year-old Reema Devi, her 70-year-old mother-in-law Geeta Devi, and six-month-old Sundari Kumari. Reema Devi was the wife of the shop owner Pankaj Kumar, while Geeta Devi was his mother. The infant Sundari Kumari was related to the family as a niece who was visiting Bakhtiyarpur along with her parents at the time of the tragedy.
Parents Jump from Roof to Escape
During the chaos, the infant's parents made a desperate bid for survival. Mony Kumari and her husband Shivam Kumar, residents of Hisua in Nawada, managed to reach the roof of the burning building and jumped down to the ground. In the process, Mony Kumari sustained a fractured leg. Both parents were promptly rushed to a hospital for medical treatment following the harrowing escape.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Investigation
Local law enforcement authorities and fire department crews arrived at the scene immediately after receiving word of the emergency. Firefighters worked strenuously to subdue and extinguish the flames, but by the time the fire was brought under control, the three fatalities had already occurred. Authorities stated that the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined as police continue their detailed investigation into the incident, leaving the entire community in profound grief.
