Lohri festivities turned tragic late Tuesday night in Gali Chur Singh at Mana Singh Chowk when a massive fire broke out in a residential house. In this heartbreaking incident, 85-year-old Khazan Singh was charred to death, while 30-year-old disabled woman Navdeep Kaur succumbed to severe burns. A wave of grief swept through the neighborhood following the tragedy.
Preliminary investigations point to a spark from a Lohri bonfire (alav) as the cause. The spark reportedly flew into the house, landing on clothes and other flammable materials inside, igniting a blaze that raged within seconds. Neighbors said a large quantity of combustible items in the home fueled the rapid spread of the fire.
Five people were inside the house when the fire started. Hearing screams, locals rushed to the scene and rescued three after great effort. One of them is in critical condition and has been hospitalized. However, the elderly Khazan Singh, who was unable to move, could not be saved despite efforts until around 1 AM.
Police and fire brigade teams arrived promptly after being alerted. Due to the narrow lane, fire trucks had to be parked about 100 meters away, with firefighters laying hoses to battle the flames. It took considerable struggle to douse the fire, but by then, two lives had been lost.
SHO B-Division Balwinder Singh confirmed the deaths of Navdeep Kaur (30) and Khazan Singh (85). Police have registered a case and launched a detailed probe into the cause, including an examination of flammable materials stored in the house and safety measures. The administration has urged people to exercise caution during festivals and follow fire safety rules.
