By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Four members of a family, including a 12-year-old boy, were killed after a fire broke out at a rented residential compound in Guwahati’s Jalukbari area before dawn on Friday, trapping the victims inside their home.
The deceased were identified as Kuddus Ali (65), Kajoli (40), Safiqul (30) and Sahid Ali (12), all residents of Krishnai in Goalpara district. The family hailed from Krishnai in Goalpara district and was residing in a rented accommodation at Jaymati Nagar in Jalukbari
According to local residents, the fire erupted in the early hours of the morning and spread rapidly through the compound, engulfing at least two houses before occupants could escape.
Residents said they woke up to thick smoke and flames, but the blaze had intensified by the time rescue efforts began.
The compound, owned by Rehena Choudhary, comprises 11 rented rooms occupied by around 10 families. Eight families were reportedly present when the fire broke out.
Fire and emergency services personnel, along with teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), rushed to the spot and launched firefighting and rescue operations.
Authorities said the four victims were unable to escape and were found dead after the fire was brought under control.
The cause of the blaze is yet to be ascertained. Officials have launched an investigation to determine the origin of the fire and the circumstances that led to its rapid spread through the residential compound.
The incident left parts of the compound gutted and has shocked residents of the locality.