Massive fire engulfs residence in Asansol; 3 dead, 1 critical

A devastating fire last night engulfed House No. B-2 of Fatehpur Swagatham Residency in Ward No. 57 of Asansol Municipal Corporation, claiming the lives of three individuals and leaving one critically injured. The deceased have been identified as coal businessman Bablu Singh, his father-in-law Birendra Nath Chand, and mother-in-law Gayatri Chand. Bablu Singh's wife, Shilpi Chatterjee, sustained severe burn injuries and is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital in Durgapur.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 PM, when residents reported hearing screams and then witnessed Bablu Singh's house fully engulfed in flames. Promptly alerted, the fire department and Asansol South Police rushed to the scene. After a strenuous effort, a fire tender managed to bring the blaze under control.

Asansol South Police have taken custody of the bodies, sending them to Asansol District Hospital for post-mortem examination. Security forces have been deployed outside the affected residence, and an investigation into the cause of the fire has been launched. The fire department is also conducting its own inquiry to determine how and why the fire started, with early indications pointing towards a potential short circuit or AC malfunction as the cause, though forensic teams are yet to confirm.