Jammu, Dec 18: In a tragic incident, six members of a family, including a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) and two children, died of asphyxiation in a fire incident in their house in the Shiv Nagar area of Kathua district during the intervening night of December 17 and 18.
Four others, including the wife of retired DySP and her sister-in-law, too were affected by smoke and injuries. However, they all were out of danger.
Union Minister of State in PMO, Jitendra Singh, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have expressed their grief and shock over the tragedy claiming six lives and have shared their condolences with the bereaved family.
As per neighbours’ eyewitness accounts, the tragedy struck the family of retired DySP Avtar Krishan Raina, putting up in a rented accommodation in Shiv Nagar locality at around 2 am or so during the intervening night of December 17 and 18.
“We noticed flames and dark smoke billowing out of their house. We immediately rushed there to rescue the family. By that time, other members of the family too had woken up and were engaged in efforts to extinguish the fire. Other neighbours too joined them. The room, where members of the family were sleeping, was full of smoke. All the affected members were immediately shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) hospital, Kathua for treatment where the doctors declared six of them dead,” they said.
According to them, a couple of neighbours, engaged in rescue operations too, sustained injuries and inhaled smoke. “All injured are under treatment at GMC, Kathua,” they stated.
GMC Kathua Principal, Dr Surinder Atri, while speaking to the media about the incident, stated that the incident occurred in the rented accommodation of one of their retired assistant matrons.
“The tragedy has struck our assistant matron, who retired from this hospital just three or four months ago. Fire broke out in their rented accommodation. Six people died in the incident. Four others, including our retired assistant matron, are injured. All the injured, under treatment here, are out of danger,” Dr Atri informed.
Responding to queries about the cause of the incident, he stated, “The exact reason would be ascertained after the completion of Police investigation. Prima facie, it seemed that fire started from the room where they used to keep traditional “Jot” (lamp) aflame. Probably, furniture accidentally caught fire and it spread. All the members of the family were sleeping in the adjoining room. They inhaled dense smoke.”
“The children of her (retired assistant matron’s) brother too were there. They were facing some health issues and were with their aunt to visit the hospital. Seemingly dense smoke emanating from the adjoining room caused suffocation. Otherwise, there is no evidence of burn injuries. Suffocation on account smoke seemed to be the possible reason,” he said.
“She (retired assistant matron) called me up at around 2.21 am, saying that she was not able to make emergency calls despite repeated attempts. Since then I’ve been in touch with the concerned SHO and other senior officers of Police administration,” GMC Kathua Principal said, adding, “Unfortunately, six people were brought dead.”
“Sister (retired assistant matron) too had inhaled smoke. She was distraught. One of their neighbours was also deeply affected by smoke. We stabilised them by providing oxygen and following other regimens. Among the deceased included the husband of our retired assistant matron (retired DySP); their unmarried daughter and a son; a son of their other married daughter, who is abroad and two sons of her (retired assistant matron’s) brother. Their sister-in-law, who too was there, was affected yet she is fine,” Dr Atri stated.
Police have identified the deceased as Avtar Krishan Raina (retired DySP), 81; Barkha Raina, 25; Ganga Bhagat, 17; Danish Bhagat 15; Taksh, 3 and Advik, 6.
Four injured also included retired assistant matron and wife of Avtar Krishan Raina, Swarna, 61; Neetu, 41 and Arun Kumar, 15.
Tragedy has been deeply mourned by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Union Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh.
LG Sinha, in a condolence message posted on ‘X’, stated that the loss of lives in the tragic incident saddened him.
“Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a tragic fire in Kathua. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I wish the injured a speedy recovery,” he posted.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of six lives in the devastating fire incident.
In his condolence message, the CM described the incident as deeply painful, particularly as it claimed the lives of six people and injured another four.
“It is heartbreaking to learn about this tragedy where six precious lives were lost. I pray for eternal peace to the departed souls and for the swift recovery of those injured in this unfortunate incident,” he said.
CM Omar extended his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families, praying for strength and forbearance to help them endure this difficult time.
He assured that the best possible medical care was being provided to the injured.
“I have directed the concerned authorities to ensure that the injured receive the best possible treatment for a smooth recovery,” the CM said.
Union Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh, who is also MP from Kathua-Doda-Udhampur, shared his shock over the incident.
He, while expressing condolences, stated that he was in touch with the district administration and BJP workers were also assisting.
“Deeply shocked to learn about the accidental death of 6 members of a family resulting from a fire incident in the Shiv Nagar area of Kathua city. My sincere condolences to the bereaved family and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the Union Minister posted on ‘X’.
“I’m in constant touch with the district administration. Our team of BJP workers led by Mandal President Sh Rahul ji is assisting on the spot. Om Shanti,” he said.
