Tragedy strikes : Deadly fire deprives parents of three kids

Injured parents stated to be in stable condition at hospital.

RAWALPINDI: Tragedy struck a Rawalpindi household on Sunday as a fire, caused by a gas leak, deprived parents of their three children, including a five-year-old girl. The parents themselves received burn injuries and are under treatment.

The incident happened at the house of 45-year-old Muhammad Asfaq in People’s Colony, in the jurisdiction of RA Bazaar Police Station.

A local resident, identified as Muhammad Nazir, said he heard a blast and after sometime saw smoke billowing from the house. According to Rescue 1122 officials, fire erupted due to gas leakage.

Waqas Rahman of Rescue 1122 said the fire had engulfed the whole house by the time the firefighting squad reached the site. He said the fire reduced furniture and other items to ashes.

The rescue official informed that they shifted five the injured persons to the District Headquarters Hospital where three of the victims succumbed to their injuries. They were identified as Waqar, 19, Mohsin, 18, and five-year-old Hina.

He said that Ashfaq, and his wife Hussan Farooq sustained burn injuries but hospital sources said the condition of the two was stable.

The police said that the fire broke out due to a gas leak, adding that they were investigating whether it was from a substandard heater or cylinder.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2rd, 2015.