In a shocking late-night incident in Ludhiana, a family had a narrow escape after alleged arson by a group of minors put their lives in grave danger. The Ludhiana police have now apprehended four juveniles in connection with the case.
Narrow Escape for Sleeping Family
The terrifying event unfolded in the Janakpuri area in the early hours of Saturday, around 2:30 am. According to reports, a group of miscreants set fire to vehicles parked outside a residential house. The flames rapidly spread, reaching the house itself where the family, including an elderly woman, was fast asleep.
House owner Amarpal Singh informed the police that upon becoming aware of the blaze, the family rushed out immediately. He speculated that the attackers might have been under the influence of intoxication. A family member, Gurpreet Kaur, expressed her gratitude to alert neighbours, stating, "Our entire family would have burnt if we would have woken two minutes late." Another relative credited neighbour Sarwan Kumar for first noticing the fire and raising the alarm, which facilitated their escape.
Damage and Police Investigation
The fire resulted in the complete destruction of four vehicles – three motorcycles and a scooter. The exterior of the house also suffered significant damage. The family's quick thinking, which included throwing buckets of water on the flames, helped prevent a larger catastrophe. Tragically, an elderly woman aged about 90 years experienced a deterioration in her health due to smoke inhalation.
The police investigation was aided by CCTV footage from cameras installed outside the house, which captured the crime. Authorities confirmed the arrest of four boys, all of whom are minors. A police officer clarified that the accused were not involved in drug abuse but committed the act out of a "mischievous nature". The police further added that the juveniles had no prior enmity with the house owner, Amarpal Singh.
Community Response and Legal Proceedings
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community in Janakpuri, highlighting concerns over juvenile delinquency and night-time safety. The prompt action by neighbours and the family's own response were crucial in averting a fatal tragedy. The case is now under further investigation as the legal process for the apprehended minors begins.
