Five die in fire mishap at Pal Heights hotel owner's house

Bhubaneswar: Four family members of Pal Heights hotel owner Satpal Singh and a domestic help died in a fire mishap at his house located in Budheswari Colony of Bhubaneswar in wee hours today.

The deceased were identified as Satpal’s younger son Gagan Pal Singh (40), daughter-in-law Bhavana Singh (38), granddaughter Sohabi Singh (15) and grandson Rubir Singh (8), and house maid Khusi Das (15).

Satpal Singh's five family members and the domestic help were rescued in critical condition by fire staff from the house. While four of the family and the house maid died on their way to hospital, Satpal's younger brother was admitted in the Capital Hospital with injuries. His condition is stated to be stable.

Deputy officer Ramesh Chandra Majhi said initially neighbours spotted smoke billowing out of Satpal's house and called up the police control room who in turn informed the fire personnel about the incident at around 5.18 am.

Immediately a team of fire personnel reached the spot and started the rescue operation, he informed.

Short circuit is suspected to be the reason behind the mishap. "However, a thorough probe will only find out the exact cause," he added.