Meerut Fire Tragedy: Short Circuit Sparks Blaze, Woman And Five Children Killed

Meerut: A heart-wrenching incident in Meerut has shaken the entire area. A fire broke out in the house of a textile businessman named Iqbal (or Asim) in Kidwai Nagar of Lisadi Gate police station area on Monday night. The fire, which started from a short circuit, spread so fast that the entire two- or three-story house started burning. Six people of the same family were burnt alive—a woman and five innocent children. These included two twin sisters, who were just six months old.

What is the whole story of the fire?

In the lower part of the house, textile work was going on, probably like a warehouse. There was a short circuit in the evening, a fire broke out and the flames reached the top. The family members got trapped inside. Women and children got scared—a woman named Rukhsar locked herself in the room along with her three children (Aqdas, 3 years, twin Nabia and Inayat, 6 months), and nephew and niece Hammad (4) and Mehwish (12) were also with them. Neighbors ran after hearing screams from outside, but due to narrow streets the fire brigade was late in reaching them. Eventually people were evacuated by making a way through the roof, but by then it was too late. Everyone died during treatment in the hospital. Another woman is currently admitted in burnt condition.

What was the difficulty in rescue?

The biggest problem was those narrow streets—fire engines could not enter inside. People kept trying to help by pouring water themselves and jumping from rooftops. The fire brigade controlled the fire after about an hour or two, but by then the house was turned to ashes. SSP Avinash Pandey said, "The fire seems to have started from some electrical equipment. Six people were rescued – a woman and five children—but all did not survive during treatment."

What are the family and officials doing?

As soon as information about the incident was received, DM VK Singh, SSP Avinash Pandey, MLA Rafiq Ansari and Ghulam Mohammad reached the hospital. They talked to the family members and consoled them. But the family has refused to conduct a post-mortem. There is mourning in the entire area. Investigation is underway to find out the exact cause of the fire, but short circuit is the biggest suspect.