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Three Killed in Bhubaneswar Apartment Fire: Elderly Couple, Granddaughter Dead

Three members of a family, including an elderly couple and their 11-year-old granddaughter, died in a fire at Basant Villa apartments in Bhubaneswar's Laxmisagar area early Wednesday. The blaze is suspected to have originated from an electrical short circuit at a panel near the stilt, where bicycles parked nearby caught fire. The victims, Biswanath Behera (62) and Sulabha Behera (60), worked as security guard and caretaker respectively, while their granddaughter was visiting for summer vacation. All three suffered severe burns and suffocation, with the elderly couple declared dead at Capital Hospital and the girl later succumbing at SCB Medical College.

Key Points: Bhubaneswar Fire: 3 Killed in Basant Villa Blaze

  • Blaze started around 4-4:30 AM at Basant Villa apartments in Laxmisagar
  • Three killed: Biswanath Behera (62), Sulabha Behera (60), and 11-year-old granddaughter
  • Fire likely caused by electrical short circuit at panel near stilt
  • Bicycles parked near panel caught fire, producing thick smoke
  • Fire brought under control by 5 AM; victims died from burns and suffocation
2 min read

Three killed in early morning blaze at Bhubaneswar apartment

Three family members, including an elderly couple and their 11-year-old granddaughter, died in a fire at Bhubaneswar's Basant Villa apartments. A suspected electrical short circuit caused the blaze.

"Preliminary investigation suggests that the fire originated from an electrical short circuit at the electric panel near the staircase on the stilt. - Narayan Dash"

Bhubaneswar, May 6

Three members of a family, including an elderly couple and their minor granddaughter, died after a major fire broke out early on Wednesday at Basant Villa apartments in Bhubaneswar's Laxmisagar area.

The blaze is believed to have started around 4 to 4.30 A.M., triggering panic among residents as smoke rapidly spread through the building.

Speaking to IANS, Deputy Fire Officer, Bhubaneswar, Narayan Dash said that the fire services officials received an emergency call at around 5 A.M. about the fire incident. The personnel along with advanced fire equipment immediately reached the spot and brought the fire under control, preventing further escalation.

"Preliminary investigation suggests that the fire originated from an electrical short circuit at the electric panel near the staircase on the stilt. Some bicycles, parked near the panel caught fire due to sparks from the panel, resulting in thick smoke and blaze, which made evacuation challenging for the deceased family members residing in a room near the panel," said Dash.

Sources said the fire may have originated from an Electric Vehicle (EV) charging point. However, the exact cause of the blaze is yet to be officially confirmed.

The elderly couple, Biswanath Behera (62) and Sulabha Behera (60), who hailed from Gopinathpur village in Khordha district, had been residing in a room on the stilt of the apartment for more than ten years. Biswanath worked as a security guard, while his wife served as the caretaker of the apartment. Meanwhile, their 11-year-old granddaughter had recently come to stay with them for the summer vacation.

The elderly couple and the minor girl reportedly suffered severe burn injuries and suffocation due to the raging blaze and heavy smoke. They were rushed to Capital Hospital here, where doctors declared the elderly couple dead. The minor was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, where she later succumbed to her burn injuries.

The fire caused extensive damage within the building, affecting portions of the interior, including the ceiling and the lift area, which was severely damaged.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

V
Vikram M
Sad news. But I'm wondering—if the fire started from an EV charging point, we need better regulations on where these can be installed. Under staircase parking areas are death traps in a fire. The builders and apartment association should have ensured proper ventilation and fire escape routes.
R
Rohit P
My condolences to the family. Pro tip for everyone: invest in a smoke alarm and fire extinguisher near the main door. Even in small apartments, it can save lives. Also, avoid storing cycles or anything flammable near electric panels and EV chargers.
K
Kavya N
This is so tragic. The couple had been living there for ten years, and the granddaughter came for summer holidays only to lose her life. 😢 This shows how important it is for local corporations to inspect buildings regularly, especially for electrical safety. Ignorance is not bliss.
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Arjun K
The fire officers did their best—arriving within an hour. But the real question is why the stilt area was used for residential purposes? Security guards and caretakers are often forced to live in unsafe, non-habitable spaces. This must change. RIP to the Behera family. 🙏
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Nikhil C
Very sad. Looking at this, I feel every apartment needs to conduct a fire drill at least once a year. In India, we often ignore safety until tragedy strikes. Let this be a wake-up call. My heartfelt condolences to the family.

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