A devastating domestic accident in Bihar's Bhojpur district has claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy and left his family hospitalised. The incident, caused by toxic fumes from a traditional coal heater, occurred in the early hours of Sunday in Chhotki Singahi village under the Ara town police station area.
A Fatal Night to Ward Off the Cold
The family had recently returned from a religious trip. Bunty Singh, also known as Chandrabhushan Singh, the father, explained from his hospital bed that the family had visited Baba Bageshwar Dham for puja on December 27. Upon returning home on Saturday night, they lit an "angithi" (fire pot) with tamarind coal to combat the severe winter chill.
"We went to sleep with the angithi burning inside the room," stated Singh, recounting the tragic sequence of events. The family was unaware of the silent danger building up as they slept.
The Horrifying Wake-Up Call
The first signs of distress emerged around 2 am on Sunday. Paridhi Singh, the nine-year-old daughter, began vomiting. Her brother, 12-year-old Bajrangi Singh, complained of acute chest pain. Their mother, Puja Singh, suffered severe pain in her hands.
Bunty Singh attempted to administer some medicine and called a friend to arrange a vehicle to rush them to the Sadar hospital in Ara. However, before help could fully arrive, he too succumbed and fell unconscious, overcome by the carbon monoxide filling the sealed room.
Neighbours Forced to Break In
When there was no response from the family by morning, worried relatives and neighbours grew alarmed. They were ultimately forced to call the police, who broke open the door to the room. Inside, they found the entire family unconscious.
The unconscious family members were immediately rushed to the hospital. Tragically, doctors at the Sadar hospital declared Bajrangi Singh dead on arrival. The preliminary cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation due to suffocation from the angithi fumes.
Aftermath and Family Background
Bajrangi's mother, Puja Singh, and sister, Paridhi Singh, who were in serious condition, were referred to the Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) for advanced treatment. Bunty Singh is also receiving medical care.
The grieving family originally hails from Ghaghar village under the Krishnagarh police station area of Bhojpur district. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting the lethal risks associated with using traditional heating methods in poorly ventilated spaces during winter.
This tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, an odourless and colourless gas produced by burning fuels like coal. Experts repeatedly warn against using braziers or angithis in sleeping areas, especially with doors and windows closed.
