Ahmedabad: A couple employed as caretakers-cum-security guards at an eye care centre here lost their lives after a fire broke out on Saturday.
The husband and wife — identified as Naresh Pardhi (25) and Harsha (24) — were found dead near the staircase on the ground floor of the building in Naranpura locality, reported PTI.
According to divisional fire officer Om Jadeja, the duo is suspected to have died due to inhalation of smoke following the blaze, which engulfed nearly 70% of the building.
The incident happened in the morning, when no patient or doctor was present as the eye care centre operated only during the day.
“The fire erupted in the eye care centre in the morning. The fire department received a call around 9.50 am. Two teams — one for firefighting and another for search and rescue — were rushed to the spot and carried out the operations for around 40 minutes,” Jadeja informed.
“There were only two occupants at the centre at the time of incident. It was a couple employed as caretakers and security guards. They were found dead near the staircase and prima facie they died due to smoke inhalation. However, the exact reason behind their death will be clear in the autopsy report,” he added.
