Six family members, including twin infants, killed in Meerut house fire

Six members of a family, including twin six-month-old girls, were killed after a fire broke out in a three-storey residential building in the Lisari Gate area of Meerut on Monday night. The blaze is suspected to have been triggered by a short circuit on the ground floor, which was being used to store garments. By the time those on the upper floors realised the danger, flames had engulfed the lower portion and spread to the staircase, cutting off escape routes.

Police and fire department teams rushed to the spot after receiving information around 8:49 pm. However, the narrow lanes of the congested locality and thick smoke hampered rescue efforts. Firefighters eventually accessed the upper floors through neighbouring rooftops and broke through a wall to reach those trapped inside. Five children were found unconscious and rushed to hospital, where six people were declared dead.

Neighbours managed to rescue several people trapped on the first floor using ladders before emergency teams arrived. An elderly family member sustained burn injuries and was admitted for treatment. Firefighters battled the blaze for nearly two hours before bringing it under control.

Officials said a large stock of fabric stored on the premises may have intensified the fire. While a short circuit is suspected, some locals have suggested a possible gas leak. Authorities have sent the bodies for post-mortem and launched a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the tragedy.