4 suffer burns during Bhogi celebrations

Four persons today suffered burn injuries when they tried to light a sacred bonfire on the occasion of 'Bhogi' festival in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, police said. 

The mishap occurred when some people gathered in Pandulapaka village in Biccavolu mandal of East Godavari district to light a bonfire in the early hours today on 'Bhogi' festival, marking the commencement of four-day 'Makar Sankranti' celebrations. Because of the cold and early morning dew, when the people were not able to light the fire, they poured petrol on the wood pieces that suddenly burst into huge flames thus injuring four persons standing in the vicinity, police said.

Three of the four injured were rushed to the nearby Kakinada General Hospital. The condition of three of the injured persons was stated be serious, police said. Biccavolu police registered a case and investigation was on.