Bhagalpur House Fire: Family Alleges Neighbors Set Home Ablaze Over Garbage Dispute
A three-storey residential building was allegedly set ablaze in Sitarampur village, located under the jurisdiction of the Sultanganj police station in Bhagalpur district, late on Sunday night. The fire completely destroyed household items and possessions valued at several lakhs of rupees. Fortunately, no individuals sustained physical injuries during this terrifying incident.
Family's Harrowing Escape in the Dead of Night
According to a formal complaint lodged by Neeru Devi, a member of the affected family, she and her relatives were fast asleep when they were abruptly awakened by sounds resembling gunshots around 12:30 AM. "After sensing smoke, we rushed out of the house and saw it on fire. Within minutes, the flames engulfed the entire building," Neeru Devi stated in her account to the authorities.
Neeru has explicitly alleged that her neighbors—identified as Pankaj Sah, Golu Kumar alias Surya Kumar, Chotu Mandal—along with some other antisocial elements, deliberately set the house on fire. She claims this act of arson was motivated by a deep-seated personal grudge stemming from ongoing disputes over garbage disposal and water littering issues in the neighborhood.
Son Narrowly Escapes as Fire Tenders Arrive
During the chaotic blaze, Neeru's son, Abhishek Choudhary, found himself trapped inside a room. He narrowly escaped being burnt alive and was successfully rescued before fire tenders, assisted by local police personnel, managed to douse the raging flames. The fire brigade responded promptly to the emergency call and worked diligently to bring the situation under control.
The inferno reduced all household articles to ashes, including furniture, clothing, and various electronic appliances. Neeru Devi has claimed that property worth several lakhs of rupees was utterly destroyed in the fire, representing a significant financial and emotional loss for the family.
Ongoing Neighborhood Dispute and Police Action
Neeru Devi further elaborated that her family had been engaged in a protracted dispute with the accused neighbors concerning garbage disposal and water littering problems. She revealed that a formal complaint regarding these issues had previously been lodged with the local police station, highlighting the escalation of tensions. The family is now demanding strict legal action against those responsible for the alleged arson attack.
Sayan Raja, the ASP (trainee) and officer-in-charge of Sultanganj police station, confirmed that an FIR (First Information Report) has been officially registered based on the complaint. He stated, "The fire brigade rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control. Investigations into the matter are currently underway to ascertain the full facts and circumstances surrounding the incident." The police are actively pursuing the case to determine culpability and ensure justice is served.
