Bhubaneswar, Aug. 4: Multiple theories about the possible source of yesterday's fire are floating in the air several hours after the death of five persons, including three minors, in a blaze that swept the top floor of the woodwork-adorned Cuttack Road bungalow of hotelier Satpal Singh.
As theories float, several agencies, including police and State Forensic Laboratory, are yet to come up with the exact reason that led to the mishap yesterday.
Director of the State Forensic Laboratory today visited the affected portion of the hotelier's three-storied building to collect evidence.
Though fire officials have suspected short-circuit in one of the air-conditioners in the top floor to have triggered the blaze, the police said they were also investigating the possibility of the flames originating from a home theatre and a puja room located on the same floor.
"The puja room was severely affected, while the room in which the home theatre was installed was also gutted completely. So chances of fire originating from these two sources cannot be ruled out," said a police official.
Police commissioner Y.B. Khurania said they were awaiting reports of the fire department, electrical department and the forensic experts before they arrived at any conclusion.
"All the agencies concerned will submit their findings and we will analyse those reports to ascertain the exact cause of fire," Khurania said.
Post-mortem report
While the agencies grapple to find the exact cause of fire, Capital Hospital authorities in its post-mortem report have said that Satpal Singh's son, his daughter-in-law, granddaughter, grandson and the family's domestic help had died from burn injuries and suffocation.
"The couple - Gagan Pal Singh and Bhabana - died of burn injuries, while their four-year-old son Ruveer died of suffocation. Their daughter Suhavi died due to burn injuries and suffocation. The family's domestic help Tanu also died of suffocation," said hospital director C.R. Das.
A day after the incident, friends of both Suhavi and Ruveer, both of who studied at SAI International School, paid tribute to the siblings.
"We are deeply shocked at the death of Suhavi and her brother. Both of them were very friendly and it is hard to believe that they are no more," said one of their friends.
