Heart-wrenching scenes emerged from Patna after a mosquito coil sparked a deadly inferno, killing a paralyzed 65-year-old woman while her husband watched helplessly. The Karbigahiya incident on Friday has become a symbol of neglect in elder care amid common hazards.
Malti Devi lay immobilized in the balcony, the coil nearby erupting into flames that sealed her fate. Baliram Chaudhary, her 75-year-old spouse sharing the same affliction, bellowed for assistance but sustained burns in vain efforts to reach her.
Neighbors’ accounts paint a picture of pandemonium: soaring flames and smoke prompted a rush to help, thwarted by the absent family members—son Ravi Shankar was market-bound. Fire services arrived to douse the fire, finding Malti charred beyond recognition.
Baliram fights for life in hospital, as the family reels from loss. This avoidable disaster prompts scrutiny of household fire risks for paralyzed individuals, advocating for caregiver presence and safety audits.
Local officials console the bereaved, promising inquiries into fire prevention. The story resonates beyond Patna, stressing nationwide reforms for protecting the vulnerable from such silent killers.