Tragedy strikes Jalandhar as blast toll climbs to six, sole survivor matriarch

Tragedy struck the Ghai family in Jalandhar's Anand Nagar as a horrifying incident unfolded on Sunday night. A malfunction in the kitchen refrigerator's compressor led to a catastrophic explosion, causing an LPG cylinder nearby to catch fire. This devastating event occurred while the family was asleep, resulting in the loss of five lives. The victims included Inderpal's father, Yashpal Ghai, aged 70, his wife Ruchi Ghai, aged 40, and their three children: Mansha, aged 14, Diya, aged 12, and Akshay, aged 10.
The chain of events unfolded quickly, leading to the tragic deaths of five family members. Inderpal Ghai, aged 42, the sole survivor at the time, was critically injured and rushed to a local hospital. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his burn injuries on Monday morning, adding to the family's grief.

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Investigation underway:  

Authorities are diligently investigating the incident to determine the exact cause of the fire. Forensic teams have collected evidence from the scene, and Deputy Commissioner of Police Ankur Gupta has emphasized a comprehensive examination of all possible angles. Investigating officer Hardev Singh explained that the explosion occurred in the refrigerator, releasing gases that ignited and proved fatal to the family members.

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This tragic incident has left the community in shock and mourning. Ashok Sareen, a BJP leader from Jalandhar, expressed condolences, highlighting the family's deep ties to the community. The lone survivor of this heartbreaking event is Inderpal's mother, who happened to be away at a relative's place when the explosion occurred. The Ghai family's home, once filled with life, now bears witness to an unimaginable tragedy that has left a lasting impact on the entire neighborhood.