Bid to ignite beehive triggers fire in Sector 44 house

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 24

An effort to ignite a beehive caused a major fire on the top floor of House No. 3166, Sector 44-D, here this morning. Goods worth several lakhs, including an air conditioner, a double-door refrigerator, furniture, a computer, electric cables, five wooden doors and ceiling fans were destroyed in the fire while one person received burn injuries on both his hands and partially on the arms here.

The victim, Lokesh, a tenant, was rushed to the Government Medical College and Hospital, (GMCH), Sector 32, by neighbours and a PCR team, where his condition is stated to be stable.

The fire occurred at around 11.15 am when Lokesh was trying to ignite the beehive, located on a corner of the roof of the balcony, to prevent bee sting. However, a live electricity wire, located nearby, caught fire and led to a short-circuit following which the fire spread across the room and the floor.

Three fire tenders, one each from the fire stations at Sector 17, Sector 32 and the Industrial Area, along with a hydraulic machine, were sent to the spot. Firefighters managed to save two rooms. However, a room adjoining the balcony was gutted in the fire. After a struggle of over 25 minutes, the firefighters brought the fire under control.

“The victim was rushed to the hospital before the Fire Department swung into action. The owners of the house stay in Sector 51 while the victim was living on rent in the house,” said Mangal Singh, a fire officer.