2 kids among 5 of family perish as house goes up in flames at Salem

The deceased, identified as A Pushpa, 40, her brother Karthik, 38, his wife Maheswari, 35, and their sons Sarvesh, 12, and Mukesh 10, were fast asleep when the fire erupted due to a suspected electrical short circuit. Nearly 11 persons were staying in the house at Ramasamy Nagar in Kuranguchavadi as a joint family. Police said that the newly painted varnish on wooden furniture and false ceiling in the house led to quick spread of fire.

As the electric short circuit triggered a power outage, the ill-fated family members were caught unaware in darkness. While Karthik and his family members, who were sleeping in one of the bedrooms, were charred to death, Pushpa died of suffocation due to thick smoke, when she rushed out from another room.

Other members took refuge in bathrooms to escape from the raging fire. On hearing the loud shattering noise of glass windows, neighbours came rushing, but were helpless as the door was locked from inside and the entire house was engulfed in raging fire and billowing smoke.

Fire and Rescue Service personnel and Suramangalam police doused the fire and rescued the trapped family members, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to Salem Government Hospital for post mortem. One of the injured persons has been hospitalised.

CM Edappadi K Palaniswami expressed grief and condolences, while Salem Collector SA Raman and City Police Commissioner T Senthil Kumar visited the spot.