Honeymoon Turns Into Nightmare: Newlywed Woman Suffers 60% Burns in Darjeeling Homestay Barbecue Fire

A honeymoon trip to the Darjeeling hills turned into a nightmare for a newlywed couple from North Dinajpur, West Bengal, after the bride suffered severe burns in a barbecue-related fire at a homestay in Sittong on September 13.

Nikita Das and her husband Souvik Das, residents of Chopra in North Dinajpur, had married about two months earlier and travelled to Sittong for their honeymoon. According to reports, the couple was attending a barbecue session at their homestay when a sudden fireball erupted and engulfed Nikita. 

CCTV footage of the incident, which has since circulated widely on social media, shows a man pouring a liquid onto or near the barbecue fire. Within seconds, the flames suddenly flare up and engulf Nikita, who was sitting nearby. Souvik immediately rushed to her aid and suffered burns to his hand while attempting to put out the flames. 

Nikita reportedly suffered burns over around 60 per cent of her body and remains in critical condition while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Siliguri. Her husband received treatment for his injuries and was later discharged. 

Allegations of Delayed Medical Assistance

The incident has also triggered allegations about the homestay's emergency preparedness. Souvik has alleged that there was no adequate first-aid facility or immediate transport available at the property, resulting in a delay in taking Nikita to hospital. Her family has separately alleged that she was left waiting for medical assistance after the accident.

The homestay manager has disputed the allegations, saying staff members attempted to rescue Nikita and arrange transportation. Police have begun investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. 

Police have also been examining the circumstances in which the liquid was used around the open fire. Reports differ on the substance involved, with accounts referring to it variously as an unidentified liquid or a flammable chemical. The exact substance and sequence of events are therefore matters for the investigation to establish. 

Fire Safety at Tourist Homestays Under Scrutiny

The Sittong incident has renewed concerns about fire safety at homestays and resorts, particularly in hill destinations where barbecue and bonfire activities are popular tourist attractions.

Key safety questions include whether properties have functional fire extinguishers, trained staff, safe procedures for handling flammable liquids, first-aid facilities and an emergency evacuation or transport plan.

Darjeeling Police maintains a list of certified hotels and homestays in the district, including properties in the Sittong area. 

The tragedy involving Nikita now raises a broader question for India's rapidly expanding homestay and tourism sector: Are safety standards being implemented on the ground with the same seriousness as accommodation and hospitality standards?

The police investigation is expected to establish whether safety protocols were followed and whether any negligence contributed to the severity of the incident.