Balasore: A woman sustained severe burn injuries under mysterious circumstances near ADM Square in Balasore district on Thursday, prompting an ongoing police investigation into the exact cause of the incident.
The victim, identified as Bidyutlata Jena, reportedly suffered burns over nearly 70% of her body. Initially rushed to the Balasore District Headquarters Hospital, she was later shifted to SCB Medical College & Hospital at Cuttack in critical condition for advanced treatment.
The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of Sahadevkhunta police station, where Bidyutlata was at home with her husband, daughter, and grandson at the time. According to her husband, Rabindra Jena, he was resting after lunch with his grandson beside him, while his younger daughter was eating. He claimed that Bidyutlata had taken kerosene from the puja room, telling her daughter that a foul smell was coming from the area where the rabbits were kept and that she intended to clean it using kerosene.
Moments later, her daughter saw Bidyutlata in flames and immediately alerted Rabindra. He rushed to her aid and managed to douse the fire, but suffered minor burns on both his hands in the process.
The circumstances surrounding how the fire started remain unclear. Police are investigating multiple angles, including the possibility of an accidental fire, self-immolation, or foul play. As of now, no conclusive statement has been made.
