New Delhi, April 20
Four people of a family, including two girls, were charred to death while two other members sustained burns after a fire broke out from a leaking liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder at their residence in Roop Nagar this afternoon.

The incident occurred at Chandawal Nagar in Roop Nagar at 2.25 pm today.

According to the police, Mohar Singh (25) was living at a two-room rented accommodation at Chandawal Nagar. His mother Phoolvati (50), sister Preeti, daughter Annu (6), wife and an 11-year-old son were staying with him.

A child-naming ceremony was taking place at Singh's home. He had invited his friends and relatives.

Singh's family and uncle Pappu (30) and a neighbour named Bihari were in a room where they had set up a small kitchen. The LPG cylinder was leaking and when one of them lit a matchstick, fire broke out. The people in the room were engulfed in flames.

Singh and Phoolwati tried to douse the flames. He managed to throw the burning cylinder outside his apartment.

However, the fire had engulfed the room.

Singh's relative placed a call to the police control room (PCR) and the fire department.

Two fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The fire was doused within half an hour, according to an official of the fire department.

Pappu, Bihari, Preeti, Annu, Phoolwati and Singh were first taken to the Hindu Rao hospital. They were then rushed to the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital.

Pappu, Bihari, Preeti and Annu were declared brought dead while Phoolwati and Singh are being treated for their injuries. Phoolwati is still in a critical condition.