Elderly couple killed in Safdarjung Enclave fire

An elderly couple died after a fire broke out at their flat in Safdarjung Enclave, south Delhi in the early hours of Wednesday, police officers and fire officials said.

- HT Correspondent

NEW DELHI:

The deceased were identified as Govind Ram Nagpal, 80, and his wife Sheela Nagpal, 78. Deputy commissioner of police (southwest) Surendra Choudhary said the couple lived alone in the second floor flat - their daughter lives with her family in Paschim Vihar in west Delhi, while their son lives in the US.

Delhi Fire Services (DFS) officials said they suspect that the fire broke out in the kitchen or hall due to an electric fault or short circuit in an appliance, but the exact cause of the blaze is yet to be confirmed.

Giving details, DFS officials said the blaze broke out at around 5.40am, but neighbours noticed smoke emerging from the house only 15-20 minutes later and called the fire services at 5.57 am. "Three fire tenders were rushed to the site within 10 minutes. The fire was majorly in domestic articles and two bodies were found," DFS chief Atul Garg said.