An 84-year-old woman died from severe burn injuries after an oxygen cylinder ignited and exploded while she was asleep at her daughter’s home in Wathoda, Nagpur, on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred when the woman was on oxygen support. Emergency services responded, but the injuries proved fatal. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire and explosion.
Police have launched an inquiry to determine how the fire started and what caused the oxygen supply to ignite.
Narmadabai had recently been discharged from hospital after prolonged treatment and had been advised oxygen support at home, according to police. Senior inspector Pramod Pore of Wathoda police station said the exact sequence of events would become clearer after the completion of the investigation and receipt of the postmortem report. She was resting with the oxygen supply switched on when a fire broke out. The blaze subsequently triggered an explosion in the oxygen cylinder, leaving her with extensive burns. Wathoda police have registered an accidental death case under sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita based on the complaint lodged by family members. Statements of relatives and neighbours have been recorded, while the body has been sent for postmortem examination.
The victim, Narmadabai Dhande, a resident of Darshan Colony in New Nandanvan, had been staying at the Aradhana Nagar home of her daughter, Varsha Chaudhary (50), for the last few days. Investigators said the elderly woman sustained burns over 60-70% of her body, including her chest, abdomen, back, limbs and other parts of the body. She succumbed to her injuries at 9.15am on Friday.
Family members rushed her to Govt Medical College and Hospital.
We are examining all possible causes, including an oxygen leak and the source of ignition,” he said. “At present, the case remains one of accidental death.