Rajkot: A 92-year-old woman and her 61-year-old son died of burn injuries and suspected suffocation after a fire broke out in their fourth-floor flat at Manmandir Apartments on Palace Road late Wednesday night.

The victims were identified as Prabha Pujara and her son, Narendra Pujara. Though a short circuit is suspected to have sparked the blaze, officials said the exact cause will be confirmed after examination by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).

It is learnt that Narendra’s wife Shilpa and their two children were out within the city when the incident occurred. Neighbours noticed flames and thick smoke emanating from the apartment and alerted Shilpa. On returning, she and residents attempted to open the door with a key but found it latched from inside. The door was eventually broken open, and the mother and son were found unconscious inside the smoke-filled flat.

Both were rushed to the civil hospital, where doctors declared them brought dead. Family members stated that the air conditioner and lights were still on at the time of the incident.

B.V. Borisagar, inspector of A Division police station, said the four-storey building sustained significant damage to electronic appliances in the kitchen and hall of the affected flat. “An accidental death case has been registered and further investigation is underway,” he said.

Police have collected viscera samples and are recording statements of relatives. The family was reportedly planning to move to a new residence next month. Narendra’s son is engaged in the handicrafts business. DeshGujarat