3 of family charred to death

Our Correspondent

Zirakpur, December 4

Three members of a family, including a girl, were killed and two others critically injured in a fire that broke out at their house in Dayalpura village, near here, last night.

The deceased have been identified as Kuljeet Singh (45), his wife Surinder Kaur (40) and their daughter Veena Rani, alias Nanhi (18). Harpreet Kaur (20), alias Bholu, and Kanwalpreet Kaur (20), who reportedly suffered 90 per cent burns, are struggling for life at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector-32, Chandigarh, sources said.

All five members of the family were sleeping in their house when a fire broke out during night and engulfed the entire room. It has been learnt that a mobile charger, which had remained on for the whole night, might have been exploded, leading to the fire.

The sources said the victims were shifted to the GMCH where Kuljeet Singh, his wife and 18-year-old Veena succumbed to burns. The condition of Harpreet Kaur and Kanwalpreet Kaur is stated to be critical.

Though the exact cause of the fire could not be ascertained, neighbours said the fire might have been caused by a short-circuit. It appears the fire broke out in the room where Kuljeet Singh, along with his family, was sleeping. Soon, the fire engulfed the other rooms. Beds, a sofa set and other belongings were destroyed in the fire, said Balbir Singh, a neighbour.

Balbir Singh said the family was trapped inside the house and they were unable to open the door. They might have fallen unconscious due to suffocation, as there was no ventilation, he added.

Sources from the GMCH said all members of the family were brought with serious burns. Harpreet Kaur and Kanwalpreet Kaur had suffered over 90 per cent burns. Their condition was stated to be critical.

Kuljeet Singh was an employee of the PWD, Punjab. Harpreet Kaur and Kanwalpreet Kaur are doing a course at the ITI, Mohali. Veena Rani (18), who succumbed to burns, was doing BA (correspondence).

Bhinder Singh, SHO, Zirakpur, said: “The fire broke out because of a short-circuit in the house. No case has been registered in this regard.”   

Ambulance fails to make it on time

A relative said all victims were rushed to the GMCH, Sector-32, Chandigarh, by neighbours in their own vehicles as the ambulance driver lost his way and could not make it on time. They received a call from the ambulance staff after they left for the hospital.