Couple suffocates to death after fire breaks out at grocery shop in Outer Delhi

“Information was received regarding a fire incident at Khasra no. 34/16/2, School Wali Gali, Lekhram Park, Tikri Kalan, Delhi. The police team immediately reached the spot and found that a fire had broken out outside a small grocery shop,” DCP (Outer) Sachin Shama said.

During the initial investigation, police found that the couple were sitting inside their shop when a short circuit at their counter outside ignited a fire.

“Preliminary inquiry revealed that the fire occurred due to a suspected short circuit at the counter area, igniting plastic packets kept on it,” DCP Sharma said.

Police said it appears the couple allegedly brought down the shutter of the shop to escape the flames, but smoke started to fill up the shop. They then tried to open the shutter, the police said, but couldn’t. The couple were stuck inside, between the flames and smoke, and eventually died.

“Because of the fire and smoke, the couple was unable to come out. In an attempt to escape, they lowered the shutter but got trapped inside, leading to severe suffocation. The police team forced open the shutter using a wooden log and immediately shifted both victims to Oscar Hospital, Bahadurgarh, where they were declared dead on arrival,” DCP Sharma said.