3 teens from Telangana family die in house fire in USA

Three teenagers, all from the same family hailing from Nalgonda district of Telangana, were killed in a devastating house fire in Collierville in Tennessee, USA.

The victims were identified as Sathwika Naik (16), Suhan Naik (15) and Jaya Suchith (14). Tennessee police say that also killed was a 46-year-old woman, identified as Kari Coudriet.

The trio belongs to Gurrapu tanda of Neredugumma block of Nalgonda district. Their evangelist parents who live here had sent their children to the USA for education.

According to information reaching here, the trio died in the fire accident in a house located at 600 block of Autumn Winds Drive in Collierville around 11 p.m. on Sunday. Seven others were also injured in the incident. The town is some located 30 miles away from Memphis.

As per Mark King, the Chief of Administration of the towns fire department, the fire broke out on Sunday night in a two-story home. He said that the house was fully engulfed by the time firefighters reached the spot. Initial reports confirmed that the family that lives in the home was hosting a party for the teenagers. They belong to Collierville Bible Church which gave further details to the police.

The father of the three deceased, Pastor Srinivas Naik use0

d to live in the USA but returned to India and settled here. His children are studying there and stayed back despite Christmas holidays. The Coudriet family invited the three young people to spend their holidays with them. It is believed the fire has broke out while all the members are busy decorating the house with lights.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the house had only one working smoke alarm. Survivors say that the fire might have started downstairs. Fire officials say the outcome may have been different if the smoke detectors were working.