Fire caused by gas leak kills four sisters in Gujarat

Four minor sisters were charred to death after a fire engulfed their home in the village of Mulad in Surat district, Gujarat early morning on Monday,  police revealed.

Leakage from a domestic gas cylinder caused the blaze, an initial investigation reported.

The incident occurred while their father Ramesh Patel was away, said P V Pateliya, Sub Inspector with Mahuva police station. According to Pateliya, the home, which was made of steel sheets, belongs to Patel, a vegetable vendor.

The deceased were identified as Darshana (10), Mansi (9), Tejashree (8) and Rajashree (8).

"Patel has been living in the hut with his four daughters since some time. Patel's wife died few years ago. As part of his daily routine, Patel locked one of the doors from outside and went to Surat city on his vehicle to sell vegetables," the officer said.

"When his daughters were asleep, fire broke out due to gas leakage. Before the girls could escape, all of them were charred to death. We have sent their bodies for postmortem and a probe is on," added Pateliya.