5 kids among 6 killed as massive fire tears through Meerut house; short circuit suspected

MEERUT: Six people, including five children, were killed and a woman was injured after a fire, suspected to have been triggered by a short circuit, broke out at a house in the Lisadi Gate area here, police said on Tuesday."The incident occurred at Kidwai Nagar around 8 pm on Monday. Seven people were admitted to the civil hospital with burn injuries. The doctors later declared six of them dead," Meerut SP Avinash Pandey told reporters at the hospital.Police said information about the fire at the residence of Iqbal Ahmad was received at 8:49 pm, following which teams from the police and fire department rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control.According to officials, tailoring work was being carried out at the house, and a large quantity of cloth stored inside is believed to have caused the flames to spread rapidly.Prima facie, the fire is suspected to have been triggered by a short circuit. A detailed investigation is underway, police added.The deceased were identified as Rukhsar (25), Mahbish (12), Hammad (4), Akdas (4), Nabia (4 months) and Inayat (4 months), all residents of Gali No. 3 near Surahi Wali Masjid in Kidwai Nagar.The injured woman, Ameer Bano (55), is currently undergoing treatment, the Superintendent of Police said.(With agency inputs)