Retired IAS officer dies after fire breaks out at Delhi house; son injured

NEW DELHI: An 80-year-old retired IAS officer died, while his son suffered injuries after a fire broke out at a house in south Delhi’s Hauz Khas area, police said on Thursday.

The deceased was identified as Dhanender Kumar, a retired Indian Administrative Service officer, according to news agency PTI.

He died during treatment at the AIIMS Trauma Centre due to smoke inhalation, deputy commissioner of police (South) Anant Mittal said.

According to police, a PCR call regarding the fire at the house was received around 11.10 pm on Wednesday.

Police personnel and fire department teams rushed to the spot, and two fire tenders were deployed to control the blaze.

Kumar and his son were rescued from the house and shifted to hospital. While Kumar succumbed during treatment, his son is undergoing treatment and is said to be out of danger, an officer said.

Preliminary inquiry suggests that the fire may have been triggered by a blast in the indoor unit of an air-conditioner installed in the house, police said.

At the time of the incident, five people, including family members and domestic help, were inside the house.

A crime team inspected the spot, and an electrical inspection is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Statements of eyewitnesses have been recorded, and no foul play is suspected at this stage, police added.