Darjeeling, West Bengal — A honeymoon celebration turned into a nightmare when a newly married woman was severely burned after her clothes caught fire during a barbecue party at a resort in the hill station. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and raised serious questions about safety precautions at outdoor gatherings.
According to local police, the woman, whose identity is being withheld as per standard practice, had recently arrived in Darjeeling with her husband for their post-wedding trip. The couple had booked a small cottage stay at a resort on the outskirts of town. On the evening of the incident, a small group of family members and close friends had gathered for a barbecue, a popular tourist activity in the region.
Witnesses say the fire broke out unexpectedly while food was being grilled on an open-charcoal barbecue setup. The woman apparently moved too close to the grill or her loose clothing came into contact with the flames, causing her attire to ignite almost instantly. Guests at the resort acted quickly, dousing her with water and wrapping her in blankets to smother the flames before shifting her to a nearby vehicle.
She was first taken to a local private nursing home, where initial first aid was administered. Given the severity of her burns, she was subsequently transferred to a specialized hospital in Siliguri, approximately 70 kilometers away, for advanced treatment. Medical sources describe her condition as serious but stable.
Darjeeling police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident. Resort authorities have been asked to cooperate with the probe. Officials noted that neither gas nor明火 devices were being used improperly, and the exact cause of how the fire spread to the woman's clothing remains under examination.
This tragedy has reignited conversations about safety standards at tourist resorts in the hill stations, particularly regarding open-flame grilling arrangements. Authorities in the district have urged visitors to exercise caution during outdoor cooking activities, especially in windy conditions common to the region.
