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4 girls and a toddler have been killed after a fireplace broke out in a three-storey home in Gujarat’s Surat metropolis on Tuesday morning (March 31, 2026), police mentioned.
The incident occurred within the Mithi Khadi locality underneath Limbayat police station space at round 10 am, when a household was busy packing sarees utilizing foam sheets.
Fireplace brigade groups and ambulances rushed to the spot quickly after the blaze was reported and carried out a rescue operation, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Kanan Desai mentioned.
In response to Ms. Desai, the hearth broke out in a three-storey home that the occupants used for saree packing work.
“Since at this time is a vacation, that they had introduced a considerable amount of materials for packing. After being alerted, the police, hearth brigade and 108 emergency service personnel reached the spot instantly,” she mentioned.
When emergency groups entered the premises, the whole room was full of dense smoke, making it tough to entry the victims initially, the official mentioned.
“After the smoke was introduced just below management, it was seen that the entrance room and the encompassing space have been full of foam sheets used for saree packing. Foam was additionally saved close to the switchboard,” she mentioned.
Preliminary investigation suggests the hearth could have been triggered by an electrical spark.
“Primarily based on our major dialogue with the hearth brigade, we suspect that there may need been {an electrical} spark and resultant hearth within the foam positioned in entrance of the switchboard. Since this foam accommodates chemical substances, it generated heavy smoke,” the DCP mentioned.
“The victims succumbed to suffocation attributable to the poisonous smoke,” she mentioned.
“Because of the smoke and ensuing suffocation, 4 girls and a toddler have been severely affected. They have been shifted to Civil Hospital in severe situation and later died throughout remedy,” Ms. Desai added.
The victims have been recognized as Shehnaz Begum Ansari (65), Husa Begam Ansari (18), Shabina Ansari (28), Parvin Abdul Ansari (19) and Subhan Ali Ansari (4), the official mentioned.
Eyewitness Yunus Khan claimed the hearth unfold quickly because of the presence of extremely inflammable supplies.
“There have been sacks of froth and sarees mendacity inside. Once they caught hearth, the members of the family panicked and moved to a again room, pondering they might be secure. However the foam contained chemical substances and produced poisonous fuel, which brought on their loss of life,” he claimed.
The victims got here to Surat from Uttar Pradesh and have been concerned in saree packing work. Whereas the ladies and a toddler have been at house, the male members had gone out for work, Mr. Khan instructed reporters.
Printed – March 31, 2026 07:25 pm IST