Fire breaks out in house, 4 kids hurt

Children were studying by candlelight due to power cut

Four siblings studying by candlelight suffered burn injuries on Sunday after a fire broke out in their house in Badarpur. Two children have been discharged, but the other two are in Safdarjung Hospital’s intensive care unit with over 30% burn injuries.

The police said the incident happened around 9.20 p.m. The siblings have been identified as Ashu, Lucky, Rakhi and Deepali. Their parents were not at home at the time of the incident.

In the preliminary investigation, it was found that the four siblings were studying in their single-room rented accommodation when there was a power cut in the area.

Cooler caught fire

According to the police, the elder daughter, Deepali, lit a candle as they all had to complete their school homework. She kept the candle on the plastic cooler placed inside the room. The children began studying and failed to notice that the cooler had caught fire, which eventually spread to the entire room.

Deepali and Rakhi suffered severe burn injuries but they were able to rescue their brothers.

Hearing the cries of the children, locals rushed to the house and rescued them.

“The victims were rescued by a neighbour who informed the police. They were taken to a hospital where Ashu and Lucky were discharged after treatment while Rakhi and Deepali who received over 30% burn injuries are still in ICU,” said a senior police officer.