A 55-year-old man lost his life in a horrific fire accident on Saturday afternoon in Kollam district, Kerala. The victim, identified as Dayanidhi, a resident of Kannimelchery in Kavanad, succumbed to severe burn injuries sustained while attempting to clear a vacant plot of land by setting fire to dry leaves and grass.
How the Tragic Incident Unfolded
The incident occurred around noon in the Mukathala area of Kavanad. According to police and eyewitness accounts, Dayanidhi had gone to a scrubland adjacent to a rented house, carrying flammable materials with him. His intention was to clear the vegetation through controlled burning, a common but risky practice in many rural parts of India.
A neighbour stated that Dayanidhi frequently visited the site to clean the land. However, on this fateful day, the situation spiraled out of control. "He came here often to clean this patch of land, but today the blaze spread more rapidly than expected," the neighbour revealed.
Desperate Attempt to Control the Flames
Witnesses reported that when the fire began to spread uncontrollably, Dayanidhi tried desperately to douse it. He fetched water in an attempt to control the raging flames. Tragically, during this effort, he collapsed and fell into the burning area, where he sustained catastrophic burns.
Alarmed residents immediately alerted the local fire and rescue services as well as the police. By the time emergency responders reached the scene, the flames had fully engulfed the area. Dayanidhi was rushed to a nearby hospital, but medical professionals pronounced him dead upon arrival.
Police Investigation and Ongoing Probe
Officers from the Mukhathala police station have initiated an investigation into the exact cause of the accident. A police officer confirmed that preliminary information suggests the victim lost control of the fire while clearing the land himself. The official added that no foul play is suspected at this stage.
The investigation is ongoing and includes reviewing available CCTV footage from the vicinity and gathering detailed statements from neighbours and eyewitnesses. The objective is to piece together the final moments and determine the precise sequence of events that led to the tragedy.
The body of the deceased has been transferred to a hospital mortuary. A post-mortem examination will be conducted as part of the standard legal procedures following such an incident.
This unfortunate event adds to a series of recent fire-related accidents reported in the Kollam district, highlighting the potential dangers associated with informal land-clearing methods.
