Bihar: Wedding pandal fire claims six lives in Darbhanga

PTC News Desk: Tragedy struck in Bihar’s Darbhanga district as a wedding pandal engulfed in flames, claiming the lives of six individuals and three cows. Eyewitnesses recounted how the pandal caught fire amid the bursting of firecrackers, creating a chaotic scene of panic and devastation.

The incident unfolded around 11:15 pm on Thursday in Alinagar, within the jurisdiction of Bahera police station. Initial investigations suggest that the rapid spread of the fire may have been fueled by inflammable materials stored inside the pandal.

Among the victims were identified Sunil Paswan (26), Lila Devi (23), Kanchan Devi (26), Siddhanth Kumar (4), Shashank Kumar (3), and Sakshi Kumari (5). Their untimely demise has left families shattered and communities mourning.

Local authorities swiftly responded to the emergency, dispatching fire tenders to the scene to combat the blaze. Despite their efforts, the inferno exacted a heavy toll before being brought under control.

District Magistrate Rajeev Roshan has initiated an inquiry to ascertain the exact cause of the fire, while also ensuring that affected families receive necessary support in accordance with disaster management protocols. Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police Jagunath Reddy confirmed that the bodies have been sent for post-mortem examinations, marking the beginning of a painful process of closure and investigation for the grieving families.