5-year-old boy charred to death during wedding procession in Odisha’s Kendrapara

Pattamundai: A minor boy aged around five years was killed today as the house in which he was present caught fire during a wedding procession at Badapada village under Pattamundai block in Kendrapara. Two others sustained severe burn injuries in the incident and are critical now.

The deceased minor was identified as the son of one Arabinda Mallick from Badapada village.

According to a private source, a man was distributing petrol to some Baraatis in a wedding procession of Jakeswar Mallick from the same village. The highly inflammable substance caused the fire as another man was smoking a cigarette nearby. Within seconds, the inferno spread to a house located on the roadside. As a result, the entire house is gutted leading to the sad demise of the minor boy.

On being informed by some locals, a team of police reached the spot and launched a probe. The injured were rescued and rushed to the district headquarters hospital in Kendrapara for treatment.

A pall of gloom descended on the village after news of the fatal blaze spread.