A DeSuup woman has died after she fell off a building while trying to escape a fire that broke out last night at Changzamtog in Thimphu. She succumbed to her injuries at around 3 this morning at the national referral hospital. She was living with her husband in a rented apartment in the building. Her husband who jumped off the roof from another side of the building sustained minor injuries and was discharged this afternoon.
The fire which started at around 8:30 last night destroyed the attic and Jamtho of the four-storey building. As the fire engulfed the attic, the 22-year-old woman held on to the edge of the roof as people tried to fix a ladder for her to climb down. However, she could only hold on to the roof for a few minutes before she fell off the building.
According to the national referral hospital, the woman sustained internal injuries, which led to her death.
Sources said her husband who jumped off the roof from another side of the building hit a walnut tree, which helped reduce the impact. He escaped with minor abrasions and scratches on his body.
A 32-year-old Indian labourer who was injured when the falling woman’s head hit his left leg is undergoing treatment at the hospital. He was holding out a blanket along with other residents to catch the woman.
Safikul Mia, the brother of the injured Indian labourer said, “When we came out of our rooms, we saw the fire. Then we brought a ladder to save the two people stuck inside, but the ladder slipped and we couldn’t. Then we held out a blanket to catch the lady. As the lady fell off, her head landed on my brother’s leg, fracturing it. We then rushed the two of them to the hospital.”
Out of the 11 families living in the building, three of them lost most of their belongings. They stayed with their friends and relatives last night.
Bhima Rai, a victim said, “I came outside to get my children. When I reached outside my daughter also arrived from the tuition in a few minutes and I sent her to get things from the house. After a few minutes, I saw people shouting and coming outside saying that the house caught fire. I don’t know where the fire started. About 90 percent of my belongings were lost to the fire.”
Another victim of the incident, Tshering Wangchuk said, “During the incident, I was outside the house and my wife called me to take my daughter to the hospital. I told them to come to the parking. After reaching at the parking, suddenly my wife looked at the attic and saw the fire. Then I immediately went inside to save my children and grandmother. About 80 to 90 percent of my belongings were lost to the fire.”
Residents and people at the scene tried to put out the fire before firefighters arrived. The fire was brought under control almost one hour later.
According to the house owner, they are working to fix electrical wirings and water supply for those living in the building.
Meanwhile, Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan’s officials visited the site and assessed the damages this morning. They learned that the building was built in 2011 and it is insured.
Police are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Kipchu
