JOIN USA couple was badly burnt in a kitchen fire in outer Delhi’s Narela on Friday night. The man had rushed into the kitchen to save his wife on hearing her cries for help, but he too sustained severe burns in the process.
Both were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, from where they were referred to Lok Nayak Hospital because of the extent of the burns. A senior police officer told Deccan Herald that the woman suffered 60 per cent burns while her husband is admitted with 48 per cent burns. Police said they have taken the statements of the couple in which both claimed it was an accident.
The husband Balwan Singh, 55, is a grade four MCD employee and lives with his wife in Narela. The couple has three children, who are married and live elsewhere with their husbands.
The incident took place while his wife Ishwanti, 50, was cooking at 9.30 pm on Friday. Singh, who was in the drawing room, suddenly heard her scream out for help. He rushed into the kitchen to find Ishwanti’s clothes on fire. He entered the tiny kitchen in a bid to save her, but his own clothes caught fire.
Their problem was compounded with other objects in the kitchen too catching fire. Neighbours rushed to their help, but their assistance was hampered because of high flames. They managed to pull out the couple from the house and rushed them to a nearby hospital, from where they were referred to Lok Nayak Hospital.
The fire department was informed in the meantime and they sent fire tenders, which brought the blaze under control in half-an-hour.
Police said the victims have suffered deep burns and the condition of the woman is critical. However, she was able to briefly speak to police that her saree accidentally caught fire while cooking.