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At least five people died and 64 were injured in a fire in a Durga Puja Pandal on Sunday evening. Three children and two women have died in the incident that occurred in Bhadoi city of Uttar Pradesh in India.
A case has been registered against Baccha Yadav, president of the Durga Puja Organising Committee, IndiaToday reports citing Bhadoi Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar. Cases were also registered against many other unidentified members of the committee.
Overheating of a halogen light caused the fire, news agency PTI quoted District Magistrate Gaurang Rathi as saying.
"A halogen light at the pandal overheated, following which an electric wire caught fire at multiple points simultaneously. Soon the fire engulfed the wooden scaffolding and the tent," he said.
An official of the fire department said that the incident occurred around 9:30pm. Around 300 people were inside the Pandal at the time of the incident. Prima facie, an electric short circuit is believed to be the cause of fire, IndiaToday reports.
