A heartbreaking incident occurred in Delhi, where a two-year-old child and his mother tragically lost their lives due to suffocation caused by a coal fire used to keep warm in their home. Additionally, three other family members were hospitalized following the incident. This unfortunate event unfolded late on Saturday night at the family’s rented residence in Maidan Garhi, located in south Delhi, as confirmed by senior police officer Ankit Chauhan.
The family, comprising Dinesh, his wife Anjali (23), and their three children – Devansh (6), Shambhu (2), and Devasi (4) – were asleep in their room when the tragedy struck. Dinesh, who worked as a gardener at a farmhouse in Asola, like many other households in urban slums across Delhi, opted for a coal fire as a more affordable alternative to a room heater to shield his family from the biting cold of January. Unfortunately, the decision to seal the room’s doors and windows to keep out the chilly breeze proved fatal.
During the late hours of the night, after the family had fallen asleep, they suddenly found themselves struggling to breathe. They were quickly rushed to Safdarjung Hospital, where medical professionals declared Anjali and her youngest child deceased. Dinesh and his two other children are currently undergoing medical treatment.
The burning of coal in an enclosed space lacking proper ventilation generates carbon monoxide, a highly toxic gas. Inhalation of carbon monoxide in significant quantities can result in unconsciousness, tissue damage, and, in severe cases, death.
This tragic incident underscores the dangers associated with using coal fires indoors without adequate ventilation, especially in densely populated urban areas where many families resort to such measures to combat the cold. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of ensuring proper safety measures and awareness, particularly during the winter months, to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
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