Gujarat: Woman Whose Saree Caught Fire At Five-Star Hotel Succumbs To Burn Injuries

A middle-aged woman died Monday evening in Gujarat, days after her saree caught fire at a five-star hotel's buffet. As per reports, the 54-year-old was brought in a critical condition to the hospital after the accident on January 26 and succumbed to her burn injuries during treatment.

The tragedy occurred in Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad at Four Points by Sheraton, a Marriott hotel. The woman, identified as Rashmika Shah, had reportedly accompanied her husband to an official dinner party at the hotel. She wore a synthetic saree for the occasion.

While standing in the buffet line, Shah's saree touched the chafing dish fire, according to Times of India. No one and nothing else caught fire. Staff present in the banquet hall reportedly tried to douse the fire on Shah but to no avail. She was rushed to the civil hospital, having sustained 60 percent burns on her front body.

As per reports quoting investigating officers, a case of accidental death was filed.

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Several such accidents related to fire hazards affecting women have been reported in recent times. In 2020, a 63-year-old woman in Chennai succumbed to burn injuries after her saree caught fire while she was working in her kitchen. The woman was preparing tea in the morning when the incident occurred.

As per reports from the time, she did not notice she was on fire until it was too late and her entire body began burning up. She was rushed to hospital with 86 percent burns on her body and couldn't be saved.

Back in 2019, a 23-year-old woman similarly burnt to death in an Uttar Pradesh village while working near a chulha (small earthen stove). As per PTI, she died on the spot.

Latest data by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows India recorded 9329 fire accidents in 2020. 468 people were injured while a total of 9110 died. The number of female deaths was higher in fire accidents, with 4954 women dead as compared to 4156 men.