Dr Jitendra, LG, CM express shock
Avtar Bhat
KATHUA, Dec 18: A former Deputy Superintendent (DySP) of J&K Police, his three-year-old grandson and an adopted son were among six people who suffocated to death when their rented accommodation caught fire in a mysterious way in the wee hours here, today.
According to officials, four other people injured in the incident are undergoing treatment in Government Medical College & Hospital (GMCH) Kathua.
According to police, locals noticed the house on fire around 2:30 am in Ward No 16 of Shiva Nagar here and they rushed to rescue its occupants. The house was filled with thick smoke, suffocating its occupants who were in the deep sleep, they said.
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The victims were shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH) in Kathua where six of them, including two minors, were declared ‘brought dead’, the officials said.
Panic gripped the area and neighbours were in total shock after coming to know about the tragedy. The locals rushed for rescue and informed police which shifted all of them to Hospital.
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The deceased have been identified as 81-year-old former Deputy SP Avtar Krishen Raina, his daughter Barkha Raina (25), son Takash (3), 17-year-old Ganga Bhagat, 15-year-old Danish Bhagat and six-year-old Advik, a police officer said.
Those injured and undergoing treatment are 61-year-old Swarna (the wife of Avtar Krishen Raina), Neetu Devi (40), Arun Kumar (15), and a 69-year-old woman, he said.
Dr Surinder Atri, the Principal of the GMC Kathua, said, “Ten people were brought to the hospital. Six were brought dead, and four others were injured.”
Preliminary investigations suggest the victims died of smoke inhalation and suffocation, he said, adding that no burn injuries were reported.
“It is an unfortunate incident. Our Assistant Matron, who had recently retired, was living in the rented house. The incident happened between 2 am and 3 am. She called over the phone and I immediately informed the police and fire brigade,” the doctor added.
Reports said the family had lighted a Diya in the Puja room due to which the adjoining furniture in the room caught fire and thick smoke engulfed the room that led to suffocation of the inmates which caused their instant death.
Rocky Sharma, a student, said he was studying late at night when he noticed the fire and rushed to the house along with others. “The fire had engulfed the drawing room, and the smoke that seeped into other rooms resulted into the deaths,” he added.
The police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the matter.
SHO Kathua, Ajay Singh Chib said that the cause of fire is yet to be ascertained. However as per preliminary investigation the fire has taken place due to burning of a lamp (Diya) in Puja room. The police has registered a case and started investigation.
The dead bodies will be handed over to the family for last rites after post-mortem tomorrow and return of one of the daughters of Avtar Krishan from Canada.
The family was putting up in a rented house. The wife of Avtar Krishan who was working as a Assistant Matron in GMC Kathua had attained her age of superannuation four months back.
Union Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh, Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha, and Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah have expressed their deep sorrow over the tragic loss of six lives in the devastating fire incident in Kathua.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh in his tweet said “Extremely shocked to learn about the accidental death of six members of a family resulting from the fire incident in the Shiv Nagar area of Kathua city. My sincere condolences to the bereaved family and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured,. I am in constant touch with the district administration.’’
Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha in his tweet said “Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a tragic fire in Kathua. My thoughs are with the bereaved families. I wish the injured speedy recovery.’’
Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah also expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of six lives in the devastating fire in Kathua district.
In his condolence message , the Chief Minister described the incident as deeply painful, particularly as it claimed the lives of six people and injuring four.
“It is heartbreaking to learn about the tragedy where six previous lives were lost. I pray for eternal peace to the departed souls and for the swift recovery of those injured in this unfortunate incident, he said.”
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