Family escapes unhurt after hut catches fire near Walajah

A family of three escaped unhurt from a fire that broke out in their hut in Narasingapuram village near Walajah town of Ranipet on Sunday.

Police said that bricklayer K. Nagaraj (30) had been living in a hut in the village for many years with his wife N. Bhavani (28) and 3-year-old daughter.

Initial investigation revealed that it was around 2 pm when the family was sitting outside their house, Nagaraj noticed heavy smoke coming from the house. He, along with his neighbors and other residents, immediately tried to extinguish the fire, but the fire spread to the entire hut.

Upon warning, a six-member fire brigade from Ranipet town rushed to the scene. Before firefighters could reach the scene, the fire spread to the entire house. Fire crews extinguished it after about an hour of intense work. The interior of the hut was evacuated.

A case has been registered by Walajah police. Police said the cause of the incident may have been an electrical short circuit in the main electrical panel inside the house. An investigation is ongoing.