4 kids fall into hot industrial ash dumped along UP highway, suffer over 50% burns

Bijnor: Four children -- one aged 12 years and the rest 13 -- suffered critical burn injuries after falling into hot industrial ash carelessly dumped along the Bijnor-Moradabad state highway on Friday afternoon.According to doctors, the boys suffered over 50% burns on their limbs and other parts of their body, and were referred to a medical facility in Meerut for “advanced care”.Bijnor DM Jasjit Kaur told TOI that a thorough investigation was underway to find the culprit and the victims would be provided “proper medical care”. “We’re trying to determine which factory workers dumped the ash and who is responsible for this negligence. We will take strict action to ensure such life-threatening hazards are not repeated again,” the DM said.Sadar SDM, Ritu Rani, added: “Notices would be issued to those responsible.”Police said the boys had gone to collect firewood near an orchard when they unknowingly stepped, and then slipped into the smouldering ash. Hearing their screams, farmers rushed them to the district hospital.The incident took place near Jodhuwala village in Bijnor district, and the victims were from Ladupura village. Local officials said that a similar incident took place at the same location just four days ago, in which four persons, including two women, were seriously injured.