Tragic Fire Claims Lives of Six in Meerut: What Went Wrong?

Devastating Fire Incident in Meerut

Meerut: A tragic fire incident in the Lisadi Gate area resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including five children, while a woman sustained injuries, as reported by local authorities on Tuesday.

Preliminary investigations suggest that an electrical short circuit may have ignited the fire. Family members have formally requested that no post-mortem examinations be conducted on the deceased.

The victims have been identified as Rukhsar (25), Mahbish (12), Hammad (4), Akdas (4), Nabia (4 months), and Inayat (4 months), all residing in Gali No. 3 near Surahi Wali Masjid in Kidwai Nagar.

The injured woman, Ameer Bano (55), is currently receiving medical treatment.

The fire broke out around 8 PM on Monday in Kidwai Nagar. Seven individuals were admitted to the civil hospital with burn injuries, and six of them succumbed, according to Meerut SSP Avinash Pandey.

A Dial 112 response vehicle arrived at the scene within three minutes of the emergency call, followed by fire engines.

Firefighters faced significant challenges due to the narrow lanes in the area, leading to the use of motorcycles for better access, as noted by the SSP.

A local resident played a crucial role in the rescue efforts by providing a ladder to help evacuate those trapped inside the burning house.

The primary concern for firefighters was to control the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures, according to Pandey.

The fire at Iqbal Ahmad's residence was reported at 8:49 PM on Monday.

Authorities indicated that the house was used for tailoring and online garment sales, which resulted in a large stock of fabric that fueled the flames.

Initial assessments point to a short circuit as the likely cause of the fire, with a thorough investigation currently underway.

District Magistrate V K Singh, who visited the site, described the event as heartbreaking and unfortunate.

He confirmed that a detailed inquiry has been initiated, with early indications suggesting that an electrical fault in an appliance may have caused the fire.

Officials from the electricity department have been dispatched to the location, and their findings will be reported shortly.

The family has opted against a post-mortem for the deceased and has not requested any government assistance or compensation at this time.

Chief Fire Officer Surendra Singh stated that four fire tenders were deployed, and with local assistance, five individuals trapped inside were rescued.

The fire has been extinguished, and the exact cause will be determined following the investigation.

Mohammad Farooq, a family member, recounted that he was at prayer when he received news of the fire.

Upon returning, he found a large crowd gathered outside the home. The fire claimed the lives of his daughter, son, his brother's twin daughters, and his nephew. His elderly mother survived but suffered a spike in blood pressure due to the shock.

Farooq mentioned that the family holds no grievances against anyone and has not sought compensation from authorities.

Another relative noted that the house contained a significant stock of garments for an online business, which exacerbated the fire's intensity.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has acknowledged the incident and extended condolences to the affected families.

He has instructed relevant officials to visit the site and expedite relief efforts, as stated in an official announcement.