Four of a family die in suspicious fire

MUMBAI, DHNS: Four members of a family died in a "suspicious fire" in a building at Marol in Andheri East in Mumbai in the early hours of Thursday.

Five others were injured in the fire, while the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) successfully rescued eight people.

The fire broke out at Mehmud Building at Shivaji Nagar, Church Road in Andheri past midnight.

The fire broke out at 2 am and could be doused only by 4.15 am, MFB officials said.

The deceased were identified as Sakina Abbas Kapasi (14), Mohin Abbas Kapasi (10), Tasneem Abbas Kapasi (42) and Daud Ali Kapasi (80).

The deceased, who lived on the third floor, died of suffocation and burn injuries.

They were taken to Cooper Hospital, where they were declared dead on admission.

The owner of the flat, Abbas Kapasi, escaped the fire.

The injured were identified as Ibrahim Saifuddin Kothari (57), Sakina Ibrahim Kothari (53), Hussain Ibrahim Kothari (26) and Hujefa Ibrahim Kothari (21).

All of them suffered suffocation and are currently admitted to Holy Spirit Hospital.

Zara Cutlerywalla (42) was injured, but was discharged after primarily medication.

"The outbreak of the fire is suspicious and the matter has been reported to the police for a detailed questioning of the owner of the flat, who was present at the time of fire in the flat," an MFB official said.