Girl charred to death, mother killed as part of their house catches fire

Police said Himanshi died at the spot while her mother was rushed to a private hospital in Palam Vihar. The woman’s family later shifted her to another private hospital in Sector-38 and then finally to Safdarjung hospital in Delhi, where she died during the course of treatment around 11am on Sunday

A day after returning from a trip to Gujarat, a 19-year-old girl was allegedly charred to death while her mother sustained severe burn injuries and died during the course of treatment after a part of their house caught fire from a short circuit at New Amanpura in Sector-5, Gurugram, on Saturday evening, said police on Sunday.

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Police said 52-year-old Sunita (identified by first name) had rushed to her daughter’s rescue. However, burning debris fell on her and she sustained severe burn injuries as she got buried under them.

Police said neighbours and fire officers were somehow able to rescue Sunita by pulling her out to safety but they could not reach her daughter Himanshi (identified by first name).

Police said Himanshi died at the spot while her mother was rushed to a private hospital in Palam Vihar. The woman’s family later shifted her to another private hospital in Sector-38 and then finally to Safdarjung hospital in Delhi, where she died during the course of treatment around 11am on Sunday.

Police said Sunita’s husband Rishi Pal, who works in a private firm, was on duty at the time of the incident.

Ranbir Singh, Pal’s elder brother who rushed to the spot after receiving information about the fire, said Himanshi was working in a large hall, which was covered with a tin shed and sheltered cattle, when the fire broke out.

Singh said electrical wires were pulled from the neighbouring plot, which belongs to his brother, for lighting a bulb and a fan in the cattle shed.

“In all likelihood, the fire broke out in the cattle shed. It had several inflammable items, such as plastic sheets and plyboards kept in a corner,” said Singh.

He added that neighbours raised an alarm when they spotted billows of smoke coming from the hall. “No one, including Sunita, heard Himanshi scream. Her body was found at the spot where wires were present. Perhaps, she died of electrocution and then a fire broke following a short circuit,” said Singh.

“Sunita rushed inside to save Himanshi but as soon as she entered, burning plyboards and other debris fell on her and she was buried beneath them,” said Singh.

Himanshi had recently cleared her Class 12 from Haryana board with 70% marks, after which they all went for a trip to Gujarat and returned on Friday night.

Based on a complaint lodged by Ranbir Singh, police have registered a case at Sector 5 police station and are conducting an inquiry under Section 174 (preparation of inquest report in case a person has committed suicide, or has been murdered or killed by an animal, machinery or in an accident, or has died under suspicious circumstances) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Subhash Boken, public relation officer of Gurugram police, said, “Family members do not suspect foul play. They have submitted a complaint that the fire was the result of an electrical short circuit,” he said.