Purulia, 14 December (H.S.): Two children died after being burned in a fire in Kadmadi village of Balrampur block in Purulia district of West Bengal on Saturday afternoon. Both children were approximately three and a half years old.

According to local sources, a pile of hay somehow caught fire. Local residents initially believe this was the cause of the tragic accident.

Local sources revealed that the pile of hay suddenly caught fire on Saturday afternoon. The two children were caught in the blaze. Seeing the fire, villagers rushed to extinguish it. They then pulled the two children out of the burning hay pile in a critical condition. They were taken to Balrampur Bansgarh Rural Hospital, but it was too late. Doctors there declared both children dead.

The deceased children have been identified as Saleman Hembram and Akash Besra. On information, the police immediately arrived at the scene. An investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Villager Bharat Hembram said, We just saw that the pile of hay was on fire. We were trying to put out the fire with water. At that time, we saw a child there. We rushed to the spot. When we reached there, he was already dead.

Another villager, Mashram Murmu, said, The pile of hay caught fire. Seeing this, we ran there. We started pouring water with a machine. After the fire was extinguished, we saw two children inside. Both were dead. Then the police came. But we cannot say how the fire started.

The police have registered a case and started an investigation into the matter.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey