Mother, two girls choke to death in Erode

According to police, Jayamani, wife of Raja, a farmer of Kavundampadi in Erode district, attempted suicide by setting herself on fire around 6 am. 

On hearing her screams, Jayamani’s two daughters, Dhanusia, 18, and Pavithra, 12, woke up and doused the fire engulfing their mother by pouring water, while rushing along with her into the bathroom.  Unfortunately, the cot in the room also caught fire fire and the room was engulfed in thick smoke. 

The woman and her two daughters collapsed and died of suffocation. The incident came to light when Raja rushed home from his farm after Jayamani failed to answer his phone call. 

“Raja had stayed in the farm overnight. On his arrival, he found smoke billowing out of the house and broke open doors with the help of neighbours. He was then shocked to find his family members lying dead,” police said. 

An autopsy at the Erode Government Hospital confirmed that the three persons had died of suffocation. Police are inquiring to determine the reason behind their extreme step.