A newly married couple’s holiday in the mountains of West Bengal’s Kalimpong district took a horrifying turn when a sudden fireball engulfed the woman during a barbecue at a private resort in Sitong.
CCTV footage of the incident shows the couple seated near the barbecue. A man sitting across from the barbecue gets up and appears to pour liquid from a can onto or close to the fire. Within moments, the flames suddenly intensify, sending a fireball towards Nikita Das, who was sitting nearby.
Nikita is seen being engulfed by the flames before collapsing to the ground. Her husband, Sameer Das, immediately runs towards her in an effort to rescue her. The man who poured the liquid is also seen removing his T-shirt and using it to try to extinguish the flames.
RESORT STAFF RUSH TO HELP
The sudden fire caused panic at the resort, with staff and other people present rushing to Nikita’s aid. She was subsequently taken to a hospital for treatment.
According to available information, Sameer Das, who is from Chopra, had travelled to Sitong with his wife Nikita for a holiday. The couple had married about two months earlier and were staying at a private resort in the hill destination.
Their peaceful vacation quickly turned chaotic when Nikita was engulfed in flames within seconds.
The incident has also raised concerns over safety practices at private resorts during barbecues, particularly regarding the use and handling of inflammable liquids near open flames.
FIRE SAFETY UNDER SCRUTINY
The incident has once again highlighted the importance of adequate fire-safety arrangements at tourist resorts. Properly accessible fire extinguishers, secure storage and handling of inflammable substances, and trained staff could play an important role in preventing such accidents and managing emergencies effectively.
More information about Nikita’s condition and the precise circumstances that caused the fire is awaited.
