Former bank official dies in sleep in early-morning fire
Times of India | 7 January 2025
12 Kolkata: A 65-year-old woman residing in a three-storey building died in a fire on Monday morning. Baby Mondal, a former employee of a nationalised bank, was asleep when her room was engulfed by fire.
Fire fighters suspect the blaze was initially caused by either a mosquito coil or a kerosene lamp that was in the room, and an AC machine that had its blower operational contributed to it.
The incident was reported at Kalitala Road in Garfa around 1.20 am on Monday. The fire raged for more than an hour before four fire tenders were able to bring it under control. The victim's daughter-in-law and grandson managed to escape unhurt, along with two helpers. The fire and smoke spread to all three floors. The victim's son was away on work in Durgapur, said neighbours.
"According to preliminary findings by the forensic team, which reached the spot on Monday afternoon, there were two possible sources that could have started the fire — the AC's blower that was switched on at night, or, more importantly, a kerosene hurricane lamp that was kept under the victim's first-floor bed to keep her warm," said DC (SSD-Jadavpur) Bidisha Kalita.
A mosquito repellent was also found at the spot. Locals said the smoke and heat were so intense that a next-door building was partly damaged.
"I saw Baby's daughter-in-law howling for help around 1.30 am. I woke up my son and a few other neighbours. Even as we informed the police and fire brigade, my son led four youths to the house to rescue the occupants. While Baby's family members were rescued, it took 30 minutes to locate her due to the very thick smoke. The fire brigade arrived late as they had initially gone to Purbachal. The water supply was low initially, and everything burned quickly before the fire brigade could call for backup," claimed Jharna Das, one of the victim's neighbours.
Outside the residence, neighbours recounted how doctors at MR Bangur Hospital, where the victim was rushed, told them that Baby suffered 80% burns and died at the spot. "Earlier, on Sunday, I saw Baby buying chicken and fish. She said she wanted to invite a few of us over to celebrate the new year. She was always full of life and extremely social. This news has come as a shock for all of us," Das added.
This was the 20th death in the city in the past two years due to fires caused by heaters, mosquito repellent, earthen lamps, and candles, with the victim being a senior citizen.