Toddler killed in house fire at Vivek Vihar, sister injured

A one-year-old boy died after a fire broke out inside a small room in Delhi’s Vivek Vihar, where he and his elder sister were sleeping, police said on Sunday.

The incident came to light on December 13 when GTB Hospital informed officials at the Vivek Vihar Police Station that two children with burn injuries had been brought in for treatment. The children were identified as a-year-old Ansh four-year-old Pari.

Police identified their parents as Atul Pandit and Nisha, residents of Rajeev Camp in Jhilmil. According to the police, doctors at the hospital said both children had suffered burns caused by a fire that reportedly started due to a short circuit. While the girl is undergoing treatment, the boy succumbed to his injuries on the same day.

The children’s mother told the police that she was cooking inside the room and stepped out briefly to attend to a personal need while the children were sleeping. She said their bed was around one-and-a-half feet away from the gas stove.

According to the deceased’s mother, when she returned after about 15 minutes, she found the bed on fire and both children injured. Neighbours helped rush the children to the hospital.

Police said no foul play is suspected in the incident but an inquiry has been initiated to verify the circumstances leading to the fire.