Second Indian dies in New York house fire

A second Indian national has died after suffering severe injuries in a house fire in Albany, the US authorities and the Indian mission here have said.

Anvesh Sarapelli succumbed to his injuries on Saturday, a day after the death of Sahaja Reddy Udumala, who had also suffered severe burns in the same incident.

“We are deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Anvesh Sarepalli, an Indian national, who lost his life in a house fire incident in Albany. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family in this difficult time,” the Consulate General of India in New York said in a social media post on Saturday.

The mission was in touch with his family and providing all possible assistance, it added.

Umudala and Sarapelli were among four people found inside the home near Quail Street when police and firefighters responded to the fire on December 4.

The victims were treated at the scene by the Albany Fire Department and emergency medical personnel before being transported to Albany Medical Centre Hospital.

Umudala and Sarapelli were later transferred to the Westchester Medical Burn Centre for further treatment.

Albany Police said “tragically”, Umudala and Sarapelli both succumbed to their injuries they sustained in the fire. — PTI