In a heartbreaking incident in Bihar’s Gaya district, three people died of suffocation after lighting a charcoal brazier inside a closed room to keep warm, police said. Sources indicated that the victims were found unconscious when relatives checked on them at around morning time, after everyone had spent the night in the unventilated room.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to local reports, the family had lit a brazier (borsee) inside their home to ward off the severe cold, a common practice in many parts of Bihar during winter. However, with doors and windows shut, toxic fumes especially carbon monoxide accumulated in the room, displacing oxygen and leading to fatal suffocation.
Relatives discovered the victims including two children and their maternal grandmother unresponsive in the room. They were declared dead on the spot. Officials said that the brazier’s smoke likely caused carbon monoxide poisoning, a danger that often goes unnoticed due to the gas’s colourless and odourless nature.
Officials and Safety Response
Local authorities have reiterated warnings against using open fires or coal braziers in enclosed spaces, especially during intense cold spells. Residents are being advised to ensure proper ventilation if heating methods are used indoors, and to explore safer alternatives to prevent similar tragedies.
Why This Happens
During winter, many households resort to charcoal-based heating without realizing the risk of carbon monoxide buildup in unventilated rooms. Experts caution that such gases can quickly lead to unconsciousness and death, underlining the importance of ventilation and safer heating practices.