Ballia, March 16 (UNI) A tragic fire broke out in a grocery shop in the Chilakhar Market area under Garwar police station limits of Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh early Monday morning, killing a woman and her five-year-old son while the shop owner was injured after jumping from the roof to save his life.
According to officials, the fire started around 2:00 a.m. due to unknown reasons in a wholesale grocery shop run by Neeraj Chaurasia in Chilakhar Market. The family lived on the upper floor of the shop. Within minutes, the flames spread rapidly and engulfed the entire building.
With no alternative exit available, Neeraj Chaurasia’s wife, Rinki Chaurasia (25), and their five-year-old son, Dheeraj, got trapped inside. Both died due to suffocation caused by the intense smoke and fire.
Neeraj Chaurasia managed to escape by jumping from the roof of the building, but he suffered a fractured leg in the process. He was rushed to the trauma center in Ballia for treatment and is currently under medical care.
Police and fire brigade teams reached the spot around 3:30 a.m. after receiving information about the incident. With the help of local residents, firefighters worked for several hours to bring the blaze under control.
Superintendent of Police Omveer Singh visited the site on Monday morning to assess the situation. He stated that fire brigade teams are still present at the location as smoke continues to emerge from the burnt structure.
Officials also said that Neeraj Chaurasia’s father has not yet been traced, and efforts are ongoing to locate him. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. UNI PRI KK
