NEWDELHI, Oct 26, 2021 (BSS/PTI)- Four members of a family died on Tuesday

after a fire broke out on the third floor of a building in East Delhi's Old
Seemapuri area, officials said.

   The incident took place when the victims were asleep, they said.

  The deceased have been identified as Horilal (59), his wife Reena (55),
their son Ashu (24) and daughter Rohini (18). The family members were
sleeping on the third floor of the house, while their 22-year-old son Akshay
had a narrow escape as he was sleeping on the second floor, they said.

  A call about the fire was received at around 4 am and four fire tenders
were rushed to the spot, said Atul Garg, director, Delhi Fire Services.

  Domestic articles in a room on the third floor of the house caught fire,
resulting in the death of four people. The victims were found dead on the
spot. The building comprised ground plus three floors and situated in an area
of about 25 square yards, he said, adding that it was a minor fire.

   Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahadra) R Sathiyasundaram said, "Our
police team and Delhi Fire Services staff reached the spot immediately and
the fire was brought under control. The crime team, officials from Forensic
Science Laboratory and other senior officials also visited the scene of
incidence."

   Police said the fire might have broke out and spread across the third
floor of the building. The victims might have died due to inhaling smoke, but
only the post-mortem report will be able to ascertain the exact cause of
death.

   Akshay, the only surviving member of the family, works as a labourer in
Safiabad. He had come home at around 2 am after work. He went to the third
floor to get food and later slept on the second floor. He survived since the
fire did not spread from the third floor of the building, police said.

   Horilal was working as a peon in Shastri Bhawan, Delhi and was due to
retire in March 2022. His wife worked as a sweeper in MCD. His daughter was a
class 12 student at a government school while his son was unemployed, they
said.

  All the bodies have been shifted to Guru Teg Bahadur hospital mortuary for
post-mortem, they said.

  A case has been registered under IPC section 436 (mischief by fire or
explosive substance with intent to destroy house) and 304A (causing death by
negligence), the DCP said.