Lucknow: Three members of a family, including a 56-year-old man, his 32-year-old son-in-law and his three-year-old grandson, died after a fire engulfed their hut while they were asleep in Deoria district in the early hours of Wednesday. The man’s 30-year-old daughter suffered severe burn injuries and is undergoing treatment at a medical college, police said.
The incident took place around 2 am in Nonapar village under Bhathni police station limits, about 30 kilometres from the district headquarters. The deceased were identified as Balkishun (56), his son-in-law Jitendra Prasad (32) and grandson Shani (3). Balkishun’s daughter Leela was rescued from the hut but sustained burns over an estimated 60%–70% of her body. A UP 112 police team and fire brigade personnel reached the village after being informed and brought the fire under control.
Leela was referred due to the severity of her injuries to Maharshi Devaraha Baba Medical College, where her condition was reported critical.
Balkishun’s son Ratan told police that Balkishun, Leela, Jitendra and Shani were sleeping in one hut, while he and other family members were in another hut a short distance away. He said he noticed flames rising from the hut and rushed towards it but found the occupants had already suffered severe burns. After the flames were extinguished, responders entered the hut and found the charred bodies of Balkishun, Jitendra and Shani. The victims were taken to Bhathni, where doctors declared the three dead.
The family had returned home after Dussehra celebrations, had dinner and went to sleep in the hut, according to preliminary accounts. Family members said Leela had been living at her parental home for the past three years. A fire broke out suddenly and spread rapidly through the thatched structure, leaving little time for those inside to escape. Villagers who heard screams rushed to the spot and attempted to douse the flames using water, but the blaze intensified quickly, making it difficult to enter the hut and pull the occupants out. She and her husband, Jitendra, earned a living by making traditional household items including soop (winnowing baskets) and daliya (bamboo trays). Their son Shani lived with them.
Police said the cause of the fire has not been established. A short circuit is being considered as a preliminary possibility, and officials are questioning local residents and family members as part of the investigation.