Tragic House Fire Claims Lives of Six in Meerut, Including Five Children
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New Delhi, Feb 24 (NationPress) A devastating fire erupted in a two-storey residence in the Lisari Gate region of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, claiming the lives of six individuals from a cloth merchant's family, including five young children.
Among the injured were an elderly woman and a neighboring resident, both suffering from serious burn injuries and receiving medical attention.
The tragedy unfolded in Gali No. 1, Kidwai Nagar, close to Surahi Wali Masjid. Iqbal, also known as Asim, the cloth merchant, had gone to a mosque for prayers with his brother Farukh when the inferno broke out. Inside the house were his wife Rukhsar (30), his mother Ameer Bano (55), and their five children: Mahvish (12), Hammad (4), Addas (3), and six-month-old twins Nabia and Inayat.
According to police reports, the fire ignited while the children were engaged in play and the women were cooking. Alerted by the rising smoke and flames, neighbors immediately contacted emergency services and attempted to rescue those trapped inside.
Firefighters encountered significant challenges due to the narrow streets, leading to delays. They, alongside local residents, utilized ladders to access the affected building from adjacent rooftops and reach the victims. It took nearly 30 minutes for the trapped individuals to be evacuated.
All seven were swiftly transported to a nearby hospital, where Rukhsar and her five children were pronounced dead. Ameer Bano is currently in critical condition due to extensive burns, while a neighbor suffered injuries during the rescue efforts.
Ayush Vikram Singh, SP City, noted that despite a prompt response from the police and fire brigade teams, they had to enter the building via rooftops because of the access limitations. Officials indicated that a significant amount of cloth stored within the residence may have exacerbated the fire's intensity. The blaze was finally subdued after approximately two hours.
Farooq, a family relative, mentioned that the family had always been self-sufficient. “We all attempted to support them, hoping to assist in any way possible, but they preferred to manage on their own,” he stated.
Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the precise cause of the fire.