Maharashtra: 2 die, 1 injured while lighting funeral pyre in Nagpur

Nagpur: Two persons died and one sustained serious burn injuries in a fire that erupted while they were lighting a funeral pyre in Maharashtra’s Nagpur district, police said on Friday.

The incident occurred on Thursday evening at Mokshadham Ghat at a cremation ground in Kamptee area here, police said.

According to police, the victims had gone to perform the last rites of a man, when the can of diesel, which they were using to light the pyre, suddenly caught fire.

The victims identified as Sudhir Dongre (45) and Dilip Khobragade (60) both died, while Sudhakar Khobragade (50) is battling for life at a hospital, police said.

After lighting the pyre, the three people were pouring diesel on it that caused the flames to flare up and burn the can of fuel, said police.

Mourners doused the flames and rushed the burnt people to a hospital, where two of them succumbed to their injuries, police said.

A case of accidental death has been registered, police added. (UNI)