Six family members die in Madhya Pradesh building fires
Separate fire incidents in Katni and Seoni districts resulted in the deaths of six people during the Diwali period.
Six people died in a fire at a three-storey building in Barhi town, Katni district, around midnight on Monday, according to The Hindu. The blaze started at a crockery shop located on the lower floor of the structure.
The deceased have been identified as shop owner Puran Agarwal, 77, his wife Chandrakala, 74, daughter-in-law Poonam, granddaughters Arya, 14, Anvi, 6, and a two-month-old infant. Katni Collector Ashish Tiwari said two people escaped the building and noted that flammable crockery materials on the ground floor hindered efforts to control the flames.
In a separate incident in Chhapara town, Seoni district, six family members died after a fire broke out at their residence near a Jain temple, The Indian Express reported. The fire occurred between 4:00 am and 4:30 am in Mahavir Ward.
Sub-Divisional Officer of Police Apoorva Bhalavi stated that out of ten people in the house, six died and four were rescued. The deceased were Kundan Lal Soni, 75, Rajkumari Soni, 65, Ritu Soni, 42, Smriti Soni, 40, Surya Soni, 45, and Aditya Soni, 16.
Dharshiv MP Omraje Nimbalkar said the family operated a grocery shop on the ground floor and lived on the first floor. He stated six members died of suffocation while one teenager survived. Villagers alleged the fire brigade arrived late and lacked fuel.