Guwahati, Feb. 18: A physically challenged child and his grandfather died when the boy’s father allegedly set his in-laws’ house ablaze last night.

The incident occurred at Hatigarh Matikhola village under Ghiladhari police station in Golaghat district around 8pm.

While Montu, 3, was charred to death inside the house, his grandfather Mahesh Khakheria sustained over 90 per cent burns. Khakheria died at Golaghat Civil Hospital. His wife Anu and their daughter Jayanti, 14, were admitted to hospital.

Jayanti’s condition is stated to be critical while her mother Anu is out of danger.

Anu said Montu’s father Babu Gaur set their house ablaze. Police said Mahesh and Anu were probably drunk and that the fire may have been accidental.

The Khakherias, a family of Adivasi labourers, stay in a remote tea garden at Ghiladhari. The family ekes out a living by working in the garden.

The officer-in-charge of Ghiladhari police station, P. Das, said Anu saw two persons running out of the house.

“While Anu and Jayanti managed to escape, Mahesh and Montu were trapped inside the house. Mahesh and Anu were probably under the influence of alcohol and the cause of the fire cannot be ascertained,” Das said.

Babu and Manu, married nearly four years back, would quarrel almost everyday.