A devastating fire caused by an electrical short circuit claimed the lives of a young couple in Tukula village under Khariar police limits in Nuapada district, Odisha.
According to family sources, the incident occurred around 8 PM on Monday evening while five family members were gathered inside the house. Suddenly, a short circuit triggered a fire that engulfed the residence. Rajesh Patel (28) and his wife Rima Patel (24) were severely burned in the blaze.
Rajesh’s father, Makaru Patel, managed to escape with the couple’s nine-month-old son, narrowly avoiding the flames. Upon receiving the alert, the Khariar Fire Department rushed to the scene and rescued the victims, who were then admitted to the Khariar Sub-Divisional Hospital. However, Dr. Ashwasana Joshi declared both Rajesh and Rima dead upon arrival.
Tensions flared at the hospital due to the delayed arrival of the ambulance, which reportedly hindered timely medical intervention. Senior police officials, including SDPO Upendra Pradhan and Khariar IIC Dilip Sahu, visited the site and have launched a detailed investigation into the incident.
