Itanagar, August 25: In a tragic incident, a 10-year-old student lost his life and three others sustained serious injuries after a fire broke out at the boys’ hostel of Papikrong Government Residential School in Shi-Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh early Sunday morning.

The fire reportedly started between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., completely gutting the hostel. The deceased student is yet to be identified, while the injured have been named as Lukhi Pujen (8), Tanu Pujen (9), and Tayi Pujen (11). They are currently undergoing treatment at Zonal General Hospital in Aalo, West Siang district.

Officials confirmed that the blaze reduced the hostel to ashes, and an investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the incident. Papikrong village, where the school is located, lies close to Tadadege — the last Indian Army post along the China border in Shi-Yomi district.

Expressing deep shock, Arunachal Pradesh Education Minister and local MLA Pasang Dorjee Sona attributed the fire to a short circuit. In a post on X, he wrote: “Deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic fire accident at the boys’ hostel of Papikrong School in Shi Yomi District, which occurred between 1:00 and 2:00 a.m. due to a short circuit. The incident has resulted in the untimely loss of one young student, while three others have sustained injuries. The hostel has been completely damaged in the fire.”