Tragedy in Meerut as Six Family Members Including Infant Twins Die in Late-Night Blaze

Meerut, February 24, 2026: A devastating fire swept through a three-storey house in the Lisari Gate area of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, late Monday night, killing six members of a family. Among the victims were twin girls who were just six months old.

Initial reports suggest the blaze began on the ground floor, which was being used to store garments. Officials suspect an electrical short circuit may have triggered the fire, though some residents have also raised the possibility of a gas leak. Authorities have said the exact cause will be confirmed only after a detailed investigation.

At the time of the incident, the male members of the family had stepped out for evening prayers. Flames quickly spread upward, and dense smoke filled the staircase, blocking the escape route for those inside the upper floors.

Neighbours rushed to help and used a ladder to rescue six people trapped on the first floor. However, firefighters struggled to reach the upper levels due to intense heat, heavy smoke, and the narrow lane leading to the building.

Emergency personnel eventually accessed the structure through adjoining rooftops and broke through a wall to reach those trapped. Five children were found unconscious and taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared them dead. In total, seven people were rescued from the building.

An elderly family member suffered burn injuries and is currently receiving treatment. Firefighters battled the blaze for nearly two hours before bringing it under control.

Police officials stated that emergency teams responded without delay, but congestion in the locality slowed operations. Fire department authorities confirmed that the bodies have been sent for post-mortem examinations and that a thorough investigation is ongoing.

Officials believe the large stock of fabric stored inside the building may have intensified the fire, causing it to spread rapidly.