Assam: Four of family killed in devastating pre-dawn fire at Guwahati rental compound

Four members of a family, including a 12-year-old boy, were killed after a fire broke out at a rented residential compound in Guwahati's Jalukbari area before dawn on June 5, trapping the victims inside their home.

The deceased have been identified as Kuddus Ali (65), Kajoli (40), Safiqul (30) and Sahid Ali (12). 

The family hailed from Krishnai in Goalpara district and was residing in a rented accommodation at Jaymati Nagar in Jalukbari.

According to local residents, the fire erupted in the early hours of the morning and spread rapidly through the residential compound, engulfing at least two houses before many occupants could escape.

Residents said they woke up to smoke and flames, but the blaze had already intensified by the time rescue efforts could begin.

The residential compound, owned by Rehena Choudhary, consisted of 11 rooms housing around 10 tenant families. Eight families were reportedly present on the premises when the fire broke out.

Firefighters, police personnel and rescue teams rushed to the scene after receiving information about the incident. Personnel from the Fire and Emergency Services, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) jointly carried out firefighting and recovery operations.

Authorities said the four victims were unable to escape and were found dead after the blaze was brought under control.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Officials have launched an investigation to ascertain how the blaze started and the factors that contributed to its rapid spread through the residential complex.

The tragedy has left residents of the locality in shock, with the fire reducing parts of the compound to ashes and claiming four lives within a matter of minutes.