“The committee will investigate whose negligence led to the casualties. Strict action will be taken on the basis of the report,” said the DC. The inquiry will be conducted under the Mines Act, 1952 and Disaster Management Regulation, 2025.

According to locals, Priyanka Devi died late Wednesday evening, while another woman, Lalita Devi, died on Thursday. Besides that, a dozen children and women in the area have fallen ill, they said. However, the exact cause of death for both women will only be clear after the arrival of postmortem reports. These frequent deaths have fueled locals’ anger.

Protesting against the local administration and BCCL, locals blocked Dhanbad-Ranchi Road for several hours by burning tyres on the road. Protesters claimed that a thick haze has been lingered since morning. Their homes have filled up with smoke, causing breathing problems for children and the elderly. Eye irritation, cough and choking problems have also increased, they said. They fear that if the underground fire expands further, the entire area could be in grave danger.