A heartbreaking incident in Bihar's Saran district has claimed the lives of four members of a family, including three young children, after they inhaled toxic fumes from a traditional charcoal heater, or 'angithi', while sleeping in a sealed room. The tragedy unfolded late on Friday night in the Ambika Colony area under Bhagwan Bazar police station in Chhapra town.
The Fatal Night and Victims
Seeking warmth amid the biting cold, the family had lit an angithi in their room before going to sleep. The room was closed, leading to a deadly accumulation of carbon monoxide gas emitted by the burning charcoal. The oxygen level in the room plummeted, and the sleeping victims succumbed to asphyxiation.
The deceased have been identified as three-year-old Tejas, four-year-old Adhyay, seven-month-old Gudiya Kumari, and their 70-year-old maternal grandmother, Kamlawati Devi. The three children were cousins visiting their grandmother during their winter school break.
Critical Condition and Family Details
In a devastating blow to the family, three other relatives are fighting for their lives. The children's maternal uncle, their mother, and another family member are in critical condition due to suffocation. They were first rushed to Chhapra Sadar Hospital and later referred to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for advanced treatment.
According to police and family accounts, Kamlawati Devi had recently returned to Chhapra from Varanasi after performing religious rites. She lived with her son. Her daughters had come to visit her with their children for the holidays.
Police Investigation and a Grim Reminder
Bhagwan Bazar Station House Officer (SHO) Subhash Kumar provided details of the family's sleeping arrangements. "Kamlawati's elder son was sleeping with his wife and children on the ground floor. On the first floor, Kamlawati was sleeping with her two daughters, one son, and three grandchildren," he said.
The SHO explained the likely sequence of events: "The 'angithi' kept burning throughout the night. Carbon monoxide gas spread inside the room. Gradually, the oxygen level dropped and, as they were in deep sleep, no one could sense it." He added that the exact cause of death would be confirmed after the post-mortem report.
This tragic incident serves as a grim annual reminder of the dangers of using traditional coal or charcoal-based heaters in poorly ventilated spaces during North India's harsh winters. Every year, similar preventable accidents claim lives, highlighting the critical need for public awareness about carbon monoxide poisoning and winter safety measures.
