Meerut (Uttar Pradesh): A horrific fire claimed the lives of six family members, including five children, in the Kidwai Nagar area of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday night. The blaze, which broke out in a residence within the Lisari Gate police station limits, has left the local community in mourning and the survivor in critical condition.
The incident occurred in a two-story building where the ground floor served as a garment warehouse, while the family resided on the upper floor. According to local reports, the head of the household, Iqbal, had gone to offer prayers with his brother when the fire erupted. At the time, two women and five children were inside the home. Neighbors raised the alarm after seeing massive flames billowing from the structure, prompting a swift but difficult response from emergency services.
Firefighting efforts were significantly hampered by the area’s narrow lanes, which made it nearly impossible for fire tenders to reach the house quickly. Despite the logistical hurdles, fire brigades and police eventually managed to extract the occupants. The victims suffered severe burn injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital, with one person later referred to the Meerut Medical College due to the gravity of their condition.
Tragically, five children and one woman succumbed to their injuries during treatment. One other individual remains in the hospital battling life-threatening wounds. While a formal investigation is underway, preliminary findings suggest that a short circuit in the garment warehouse may have ignited the blaze, which quickly spread to the living quarters above.
Fire department officials confirmed that while the flames were eventually brought under control, the density of the combustible material in the warehouse contributed to the intensity of the fire. “Our teams reached the spot as quickly as possible despite the narrow access routes,” a senior fire official stated. “Six lives were lost in this heart-wrenching accident, and we are working to confirm the exact cause of the spark.”
