In a heartbreaking incident from Patna’s Karbigahiya police station area, 65-year-old Malti Devi met a tragic end, burned alive in a fire ignited by a mosquito coil. The event unfolded on Friday evening, turning a routine night into a nightmare for the elderly couple.
Malti Devi, who was paralyzed and unable to move, was resting in the balcony when the coil caught fire unexpectedly. Flames spread rapidly, trapping her as she lay helpless. Her 75-year-old husband, Baliram Chaudhary, also paralyzed, watched in horror but could not rescue her due to his own physical limitations. He screamed for help, sustaining burns himself in the desperate attempt.
Neighbors rushed to the scene after spotting thick smoke and flames billowing from the house. Tragically, the couple’s son, Ravi Shankar Chaudhary, was out shopping with his family, leaving no one at home to assist immediately. By the time help arrived, Malti had succumbed to the blaze.
This devastating accident underscores the vulnerabilities faced by elderly individuals with disabilities, especially in the absence of caregivers. Local authorities are investigating, but the incident has left the community in shock, prompting calls for better safety measures in homes with vulnerable residents.
The fire department arrived promptly, extinguishing the flames, but it was too late for Malti. Baliram is receiving treatment for his injuries, and the family is grappling with unimaginable grief. Such tragedies highlight the need for accessible emergency response systems tailored for the differently-abled.