Dhenkanal: A mother-daughter duo were burnt alive in a fire caused by a gas leak at Godipatana village under Ward-3 of Bhuban NAC in Dhenkanal district on Friday.
The deceased were identified as Mamata Pothala and her 13-year-old daughter Jyotsna.
The father, Duryodhan Pothala, sustained critical burn injuries while trying to save them and was admitted to Bhuban CHC Hospital for treatment.
According to available information, the incident occurred when Mamata and Jyotsna lighted the gas stove to prepare morning tea for the family. The cylinder exploded and they were charred to death.
Reports revealed that the gas cylinder had been leaking since the night before.
Duryodhan heard their screams and rushed to the spot to rescue them. He ended up sustaining third-degree burns. He was in the neighbourhood and saw the smoke billowing out of the house.
A similar incident took place on September 4 in Tileibani block of Deogarh, where a woman died and her husband was critically injured.
