19-year-old charred to death in MP

Bhopal, Jan 17 (IANS) A teenager was killed when a devastating fire engulfed a modest mud house in Kathautia village in Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol district.

The deceased was identified as 19-year-old Amit Patel.

In the incident that occurred on Friday, Patel's mother miraculously survived.

Speaking to IANS, Raghvendra Tiwari, investigation officer and Station House Officer of Kotwali police station area, said, "Amit Patel and his mother Geeta Patel resided in the single-story mud structure. Amit came to the house at around 11 p.m., and after dinner, he went to his room."

The fire broke out around midnight, rapidly spreading through the flammable materials of the house. His mother, sleeping in an adjacent room, awoke to the flames and smoke, managed to escape, and raised an alarm.

Neighbours quickly alerted the Kotwali police station in Shahdol. Police and fire brigade units rushed to the scene but could not save Amit.

"Firefighters battled the blaze and brought it under control after intense efforts. Tragically, by the time rescuers reached Amit's room, he had succumbed to severe burn injuries. His charred body remains were recovered from the debris and sent for post-mortem and forensic examinations."

The officer said he might have lit a candle as his house had no power due to non-payment of power bills.

Also, the officer further said, he might have used 'angithi' (traditional brazier) to escape the intense cold.

But Amit's mother, whose sole bread-earner had burnt alive, had no clue.

"There is nothing left for examination as he had stored fodder in an area," the officer said.

The Naib Tehsildar of Shahdol's Sohagpur tehsil also arrived promptly at the site, coordinating immediate relief measures.

Authorities have arranged temporary accommodation and food supplies for the bereaved mother, who escaped with her life but is now grappling with profound loss.

The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Police suspect it may have originated from a (angithi) or small indoor fire lit to combat the biting winter chill, a common practice in rural mud homes during cold nights.

Another angle being probed is that of an electrical short circuit. Forensic teams and local authorities are examining the site for clues, with no foul play suspected at this stage.

Authorities have urged residents to exercise caution with open flames and ensure proper ventilation during winter.

Police have registered a case, and further updates are awaited as the investigation progresses.