Bhubaneswar, May 6 : Three members of a family, including an elderly couple and their minor granddaughter, died after a major fire broke out early on Wednesday at Basant Villa apartments in Bhubaneswarâ??s Laxmisagar area.

The blaze is believed to have started around 4 to 4.30 A.M., triggering panic among residents as smoke rapidly spread through the building.

Speaking to IANS, Deputy Fire Officer, Bhubaneswar, Narayan Dash said that the fire services officials received an emergency call at around 5 A.M. about the fire incident. The personnel along with advanced fire equipment immediately reached the spot and brought the fire under control, preventing further escalation.

â??Preliminary investigation suggests that the fire originated from an electrical short circuit at the electric panel near the staircase on the stilt. Some bicycles, parked near the panel caught fire due to sparks from the panel, resulting in thick smoke and blaze, which made evacuation challenging for the deceased family members residing in a room near the panel,â?? said Dash.

Sources said the fire may have originated from an Electric Vehicle (EV) charging point. However, the exact cause of the blaze is yet to be officially confirmed.

The elderly couple, Biswanath Behera (62) and Sulabha Behera (60), who hailed from Gopinathpur village in Khordha district, had been residing in a room on the stilt of the apartment for more than ten years. Biswanath worked as a security guard, while his wife served as the caretaker of the apartment. Meanwhile, their 11-year-old granddaughter had recently come to stay with them for the summer vacation.

The elderly couple and the minor girl reportedly suffered severe burn injuries and suffocation due to the raging blaze and heavy smoke. They were rushed to Capital Hospital here, where doctors declared the elderly couple dead. The minor was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, where she later succumbed to her burn injuries.

The fire caused extensive damage within the building, affecting portions of the interior, including the ceiling and the lift area, which was severely damaged.

/IANS