Overview
- The blaze broke out around 9:30 am in Mohalla Bandia near Dal Bazaar, and officials identified the deceased as Charanjit Sharma.
- Fire crews could not drive tenders through the congested lanes and laid about 1,200 feet of hose to reach the house, dousing the flames in roughly 20–25 minutes.
- Sharma’s burnt body was recovered from the first floor after the house was gutted and initial entry proved impossible due to the intensity of the fire.
- Police said he was alone because his wife, a schoolteacher, was on duty, and they noted age-related mobility issues that likely hindered his escape.
- Investigators plan further action after recording family statements, and published reports conflict on Sharma’s age, citing either 63 or 68.