Congress Ward Representative Dies in Falna Fire, Husband Also Fatally Injured

A tragic incident unfolded in Falna, Rajasthan, on the night of November 9, when a fireworks shop located close to the Swarn Mandir crossroads caught fire. The blaze, which began around 11 pm, rapidly engulfed the shop and adjacent retail units.

The victims were identified as Usha Poonamia, a Congress party municipal councilor for Ward 23 of Khudala‑Falna, and her husband, Prakash Poonamia. Both perished in the fire; Usha's body was retrieved from the shop’s underground compartment, while Prakash was found in the main floor.

Gautam Chand Poonamia, another resident present at the site, suffered critical burns and was rushed to a hospital in Jodhpur for specialized care.

Witnesses reported that a single spark ignited the stored fireworks, causing an immediate and fierce spread to nearby grocery and battery stores. A crowd assembled quickly, complicating the early rescue effort.

Firefighting units from Falna, Khudala, Bali and Sumerpur deployed five fire engines to the scene. The operation lasted roughly six hours, with the fire finally subdued around 5 a.m. The electricity supply to the surrounding area was cut as a safety measure.

Authorities estimate that the incident resulted in property losses of several million rupees. The Falna police team has begun a formal investigation to determine the root cause of the fire.