KATHMANDU, JANUARY 21

A new mother, a 35-day-old infant and two others are in critical condition after suffering from asphyxiation due to burning of coal inside a closed room in Koteshwor of Kathmandu.

The four people who were lying unconscious inside the room on the fifth floor of the house were rescued last night at around 8:00pm . A man who shared the same floor had suspected something was not right after an awful smell and smoke was being emitted from the door. He broke into the room with the help of other people and succeeded in rescuing the victims before it was too late.

Of those rescued are Chalmaya Khatri, 90, Silmaya Katwal, 70, Pramila Khatri, 24 (new mother,) and Shriyal Khadka (the baby). All the victims were unconscious. They were swiftly taken to Civil Service Hospital. They are being treated in the ICU. They are still not out of danger, said police. Chalmaya, however, was taken to Chhauni-based Nepali Army Hospital due to unavailability of ICU facility there for her.

Police said the elderly woman had arranged a fire inside the room to warm the baby, which is a common practice in Nepal.

Superintendent of Police Dinesh Raj Mainali of Kathmandu District Police Range said the victims were extremely lucky as they were rescued on time, adding, 'Had there been delay of a few more minutes, the consequences would have been worse.'

Most victims of asphyxiation often let the fire burn the whole night behind closed doors and windows, which causes fatality. However, this incident was noticed by other people on time.

People dying due to such incidents have increased over the years inside the valley. People often burn firewood and coal inside their room and close doors and windows to heat up the room.

But, fire consumes oxygen, the most important gas, in the room which turns out to be fatal. Moreover, burning firewood, paper or coal also emits harmful gases which are inhaled by the people instead of oxygen. As a result, they quickly become unconscious and eventually succumb.

Meanwhile, police have issued a notice asking all to refrain from burning fire inside closed rooms. Police have also advised all to turn off electric heaters or gas heaters while leaving home, maintain proper ventilation while heating the room, handle electric plugs properly, and follow all safety protocols.

A version of this article appears in the print on January 21, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.