Paralakhemundi: Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra, Assistant Conservator of Forest, Paralakhemundi sustained critical burn injuries in a fire mishap at his residence here, last night and later succumbed while undergoing treatment at a hospital, today.

According to reports, neighbours rushed to the house of the official as his wife screamed. They found Mohapatra in a half-charred state, rescued him, and took him to hospital.

He was initially admitted to the Gajapati District Headquarters Hospital, then to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur and later shifted to a private hospital in Cuttack as his condition deteriorated.

However, he breathed his last during treatment, this morning.

Police have started an investigation into the incident to ascertain whether the incident was an accident or suicide.