Ahmedabad: A father and his nine-year-old son died after a fire broke out at their residence in the Vejalpur area in the early hours of Tuesday. Three other family members escaped safely.

The incident occurred around 3:30 am at a house in Krishnanagar Row House near Bakery City on Makarba Road. Members of the Gohil family were asleep when the fire reportedly erupted and spread rapidly, engulfing both floors within minutes.

Preliminary findings suggest the blaze may have been caused by a short circuit. Police and fire officials have launched a detailed probe.

Dhruv Gohil and his nine-year-old son, Shashwat, were sleeping in one room, while his wife Mitalben, their daughter Dhoomi, and Dhruv’s mother were in an adjacent room. As the flames intensified and thick smoke filled the house, Mitalben attempted to pull her husband to safety, but her efforts were unsuccessful. She, along with her mother-in-law and daughter, escaped through the balcony, climbed down via a neighbouring house, and reached the society compound. By then, the fire had spread extensively.

Residents alerted the fire brigade and dialled the 108 emergency service. Multiple fire tenders were pressed into service, and firefighters began operations from several sides before bringing the blaze under control.

Dhruv and Shashwat were rescued in an unconscious condition and rushed to Sola Civil Hospital, where doctors declared them dead.

Fire officials said both floors were gutted and household belongings were destroyed. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed.

Vejalpur police have registered a case and further investigation is underway. DeshGujarat