Meerpet: Child dies in car fire

Hyderabad: A nine-year-old boy died after being burnt while trapped inside a car at Gayathrinagar in Meerpet on Friday morning.

Though the boy was rushed to hospital by locals, he succumbed in a few hours. His elder brother escaped with minor burns.

The victim, L. Shreyan Reddy, entered his father’s Maruti Zen that was parked in front of his house along with his elder brother L. Srujan Reddy, 16, in the morning. The two reportedly were trying to play music from a pen drive. Police suspect that the fire started due to a short circuit in the car.

As the fire spread from the front side, Srujan managed to get out. However, Shreyan, who was sitting in the back seat, got stuck inside the car till help arrived, Meerpet police officials said.

“Srujan got out of the burning car and shouted for help. But in a few minutes, the seat covers of the vehicle caught fire, trapping his brother inside. The neighbours extinguished the fire and rushed the victim to DRDO Apollo hospital,” said Md. Abdul Hameed, sub inspector of Meerpet.

The fire occurred at around 9.30 am when the boys’ father, Mr L. Suresh Reddy, was not at home.

“The car was parked in front their house for the last two days. We are examining if there was any technical issue when the car was idle and caused the short circuit,” said the sub inspector.

Shreyan, who suffered over 80 per cent burns, remained in the intensive care unit of DRDO for a few hours. The doctors declared him dead at 5 pm, police officials said.

Mr Suresh Reddy, who isan agriculturist, had gone to his native place in Mahabubnagar while the victim’s mother was inside the house when the mishap occurred.

Shreyan’ body was sent to the Osmania General Hospital mortuary for post-mortem by the Meerpet police. A case has been booked and the police has started investigation.