Four members of a family, including two children, were killed after a fire broke out at a house in Nalipur village, under Balichandrapur police limits in Odisha's Jajpur district, on Saturday night.

Source: Sambad English

The fire broke out around 8 pm at the asbestos-roofed house of Sheikh Nizamuddin in Nalipur village, in the Badachana block. It spread quickly and engulfed the entire house, leaving the occupants trapped inside, according to preliminary information.

Source: Sambad English

According to preliminary information, the dead include Nizamuddin's daughter-in-law, his daughter, who had come to visit her parental home, and his two grandchildren — a 10-year-old granddaughter and an eight-month-old grandson. All four died on the spot. The news agency PTI also reported, citing an official, that four members of a family were charred to death in the house fire in Jajpur district.

Source: PTI via Dailyworld

Another child sustained critical burn injuries and was immediately shifted to the Badachana Medical Centre for treatment.

Source: Sambad English

On being informed, a fire brigade team from Chandikhol and personnel from Balichandrapur police station rushed to the spot and began rescue and firefighting operations. Odia television reports said four rooms of the house were gutted before the flames were brought under control.

The incident triggered widespread shock and grief in the locality, with large numbers of people gathering at the site after news of the tragedy spread. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.