SEONI/KATNI, Nov 9: Twelve people, including a two-month-old infant, died in two separate fires in Madhya Pradesh's Seoni and Katni districts during Diwali. Four others were injured.
In Seoni, a fire broke out between 4 am and 4.30 am on Monday at the three-storey house of goldsmith Kundan Lal Soni in Mahavir Ward of Chhapara town, officials said. Ten family members were inside the house at the time.
Kundan Lal Soni, 75, his wife Rajkumari Soni, 65, Ritu Soni, 42, Smriti Soni, 40, Surya Soni, 45, and Aditya Soni, 16, died in the fire. The four injured were rescued and treated. The cause of the fire was not known.
In Barhi town of Katni district, a fire broke out at a crockery shop in a three-storey building on Diwali night. The blaze spread rapidly from the shop, killing six members of the same family.
The deceased were shop owner Puran Agarwal, 77, his wife Chandrakala, 74, daughter-in-law Poonam, granddaughters Arya, 14, and Anvi, 6, and a two-month-old infant. Eyewitnesses said the infant died in Poonam's lap.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the deaths and announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of the deceased. He spoke to the bereaved families over the phone and conveyed his condolences.
