Patna

 A massive fire engulfed three buildings near Patna railway station, claiming the lives of at least five to six individuals and leaving 15 others seriously injured.

According to a report one body was recovered from Hotel Pal, while the bodies of a mother and daughter were recovered Hotel Amit. The fire originated at Pal hotel and swiftly spread to adjacent structures, including Hotel Amit. The fire brigade officials expressed concerns that the casualty count might rise as the situation unfolds.

The intense blaze not only engulfed the hotels but also destroyed numerous vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, and auto-rickshaws, exacerbated by the strong winds that fueled its rapid spread. It took the efforts of 7-8 fire tenders working tirelessly for over two hours to finally bring the fire under control.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Rajeev Mishra, reported that more than 20 individuals were successfully rescued from the densely populated area.

Krishna Murari, DSP (law & order) said that at least 5 to 6 people have died in the incident and more than 30 people have been rescued.

#WATCH | Patna, Bihar: Krishna Murari, DSP (law & order) says, "5-6 people have died. More than 30 people have been rescued. 7 are seriously injured and have been sent to hospital..." https://t.co/yT6pLszXO2 pic.twitter.com/8P1aq4JNiH

— ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2024

The developments came mere hours after a JD(U) leader was shot dead by motorcycle-borne assailants in the Punpun area of Patna. The incident sparked outrage among locals, leading to protests and road blockades in the area.

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“The incident took place around 12.15 am on Thursday when Saurav Kumar along with Munmun Kumar were returning from a wedding ceremony. The assailants fired at them and fled. A search operation has been launched to nab the culprits,” said Kanhaiya Singh, SDPO, Masaurhi (Patna).