Magistrate Inquiry Ordered Following Fatal Fire in Katni

Katni, November 10 (Daily Kiran) : A tragic fire broke out in a three-story building in Katni, Madhya Pradesh, on the night of Diwali, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, including three children and a two-month-old baby. In response to this incident, local authorities have initiated a magistrate inquiry.

Ashish Tiwari, the district collector of Katni, has formed a four-member committee to investigate the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The committee will be led by Additional Collector Neelambar Mishra. They have been tasked with submitting a report within 30 days.

The committee includes Vijay Dhareve, Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Vijayraghavgarh, Manish Parate, Chief Municipal Officer of Kamour, and Jyoti Yadav, Assistant Engineer for Electrical Safety in Katni. Their investigation will determine whether the building and a shop selling crockery and plastic items on the ground floor complied with safety regulations. Additionally, they will assess the rescue and relief efforts conducted by the police, revenue department, and fire services.

The panel will gather statements from eyewitnesses, affected individuals, and other relevant parties while reviewing departmental records and available evidence. A key focus of the inquiry will be to identify any negligence or lapses that may have contributed to the fire and to hold those responsible accountable. The final report is expected to recommend measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

This investigation is particularly crucial given the concerns raised about the preparedness of the local fire services. Reports indicate that four fire engines on the scene struggled for several hours to control the blaze.

The fire erupted on November 8 at the shop of Puran Agarwal, located on the ground floor of the building. The upper floors housed a family, who were trapped as the fire rapidly spread, fueled by the large amount of stock present for the Diwali season. Tragically, the fire claimed the lives of six family members.

In the aftermath, Collector Tiwari faced an angry crowd and extended his apologies to the victims’ families and local residents. He stated, “Despite having four fire engines on site, we could not save six lives. I apologize for this failure. There were reasons that led to the loss of life, despite the presence of fire engines and rescue teams.”