A devastating fire triggered by a cooking gas cylinder explosion claimed the lives of an elderly couple in East Delhi on Wednesday afternoon. The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the Shiv Puri locality in Shahdara.
Tragic Discovery and Rescue Attempt
The alarm was raised at approximately 1:36 PM when alert bystanders spotted smoke billowing from the first floor of a building in Hazara Park. They immediately placed a PCR call to the Jagatpuri Police Station. Police and fire department personnel swiftly rushed to the address: D-38, Gali No. 5, Hazara Park.
Upon arrival, the responders found two fire tenders engaged in dousing the flames. Inside the first-floor residence, they discovered Prem Sagar Malhotra, 75, and his wife Asha Malhotra, 65, lying unconscious. The couple was quickly pulled out from the smoke-filled home and transported to GTB Hospital for emergency treatment.
Hospital Declares Couple Brought Dead
Despite the best efforts of the rescue teams and medical professionals, the situation was dire. Both Prem Sagar and Asha Malhotra were declared 'brought dead' upon arrival at the hospital. Preliminary investigations by the Delhi Police point to suffocation as the primary cause of death.
Authorities believe the elderly couple was trapped inside their home and could not escape in time after the cylinder burst. The fire, which originated from the cylinder blast, is estimated to have spread across an area of about 50 square yards within the building.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Tragedy
Police have pieced together a likely sequence of the heartbreaking event. Initial reports suggest that Prem Sagar Malhotra was alone in the house when the LPG cylinder burst, leading to a sudden fire. His wife, Asha, arrived at the scene shortly after. In a desperate attempt to save her husband, she rushed into the burning flat.
Tragically, the intense fire and thick smoke overwhelmed them both, leaving them unable to find their way out. The couple succumbed to the fumes before help could reach them inside. The police are conducting a detailed investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the cylinder failure.
This incident underscores the critical importance of LPG safety measures, especially in residential areas. It serves as a grim reminder for citizens to regularly check gas connections and have functional fire safety equipment at home.
