Five family members killed, 5 injured in overnight blaze in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur

Muzaffarpur (Bihar): Five members of a family were killed and five others sustained severe burn injuries after a fire broke out at their home in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar, late on Friday night, officials confirmed on Saturday.

The victims were identified as Lalan Shah, his mother, his wife and their two children. The five injured have been admitted to the nearest government hospital for treatment.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Suchitra Kumari told reporters that the blaze erupted around midnight in Ward 13 of the Motipur locality. “The fire, suspected to have been caused by a short circuit, engulfed the third floor of the building when occupants were in their sleep,” she said.

Fire crews were dispatched to the scene and managed to bring the flames under control. “Five people died on the spot and five others suffered serious burn injuries. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination,” Kumari added.

Local residents, who first noticed the flames and heard cries for help, rushed to the scene but were unable to intervene due to the intensity of the fire. They alerted the fire control room and police. A formal investigation into the incident is under way.

PTI