A tragic incident unfolded as seven members of a kinship, inclusive of a duo of juveniles, succumbed to suffocation consequent to a conflagration erupting within a bespoke clothing establishment situated in the precincts of the Cantonment locality within Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, during the premature hours of Wednesday.

The ignition commenced circa 4 o’clock ante meridiem within the confines of the aforementioned shop domiciled at Dana Bazar within the Cantonment vicinage. While the ground floor of the edifice housed the tailoring establishment alongside other commercial enterprises, the upper floor harbored inhabitants, as attested by an official statement. Urgent intervention by firefighters ensued, successfully quelling the flames, albeit not before seven individuals had succumbed to the blaze.

Authorities are currently engaged in probing the underlying cause of the conflagration, with post-mortem investigations having been initiated for the deceased. Among the fatalities were enumerated three females, two males, and two minors, the official elucidated. The precise catalyst of the inferno is anticipated to be elucidated post an exhaustive inquiry, as appended by the official statement.

Commissioner of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Police, Manoj Lohia, articulated, “The conflagration, commencing at 4 o’clock in the ante meridiem, was successfully subdued ere it could engross the second story. Our preliminary investigation indicates that the demise of seven individuals ensued due to suffocation. The causative factor of the fire, hitherto undetermined, shall be unearthed upon completion of the investigation.”

The decedents have been identified as Asim Wasim Sheikh (aged 3), Pari Wasim Sheikh (aged 2), Wasim Sheikh (aged 30), Tanveer Wasim (aged 23), Hamida Begum (aged 50), Sheikh Sohail (aged 35), and Reshma Sheikh (aged 22).

Eyewitness Sachin Dubey recounted, “An explosion resonated at 3:30 am, ostensibly attributable to the electric vehicle charger. The conflagration swiftly engulfed the tailoring emporium. Owing to the operation of a cooling apparatus, the occupants failed to discern the conflagration. The proprietor resided on the first floor, while the second and third floors accommodated tenants.” Former Member of Parliament, Chandrakant Khaire, who visited the scene, extended condolences for the loss.