Three kids charred to death after transformer explodes

Greater Noida: Three children were charred to death in a fire triggered by a blast in an electronic transformer in sector phi-III of Greater Noida on Wednesday afternoon. Victim's family members alleged laxity on part of the electricity department as they made several complaints regarding malfunctioning of the transformer but no one responded.

According to police, the deceased were identified as Rinku (13), Golu (8) and Sagar (8), all natives of sector phi-III in Greater Noida.

As per reports, the incident occurred around 3:00 pm when the children were playing cricket near the transformer.

"They were playing cricket at the road near transformer room and entered the room fetch their cricket ball. However, the transformer exploded and all the three children failed to escape the room and were charred in the fire," an eyewitness said.

Meanwhile, the family members have alleged that the transformer has been installed in a room situated at a boundary walled plot but the gates always remained open.

"We have made several complaints to the electricity department about malfunctioning of this particular transformer but no one ever paid heed to them. Moreover, no attendant was ever appointed in the transformer room while the gates of the plot and shutter of room, where transformer was placed, remained open always," said one of victim's family members.

Police officials said that they will lodge an FIR into the matter and will investigate.

"Police were informed around 4 pm and a team rushed to the spot. We found that the three children were completely charred in the fire triggered by an explosion in electricity transformer. The bodies have been sent for the post-mortem while samples have been collected by forensic team. We will register an FIR into the case and will investigate the matter," said Shwetabh Pandey, Circle officer-I, Greater Noida.

The parents of these deceased kids were working at construction sites. The transformer was placed at the sub station of Noida Power Company limited (NPCL).

Following the incident, senior police officials along with officials from NPCL reached the spot. A compensation of Rs 5 lakh was announced for the family members of all three children by NPCL board, said Shwetabh Pandey.