Grandmother, two grandchildren killed in midnight house fire after gas leak explosion in Miryalaguda

Three members of a family, including two children, were burnt alive after a fire, suspected to have been triggered by a short circuit and followed by a cylinder gas leak blast, tore through their home in Kalalwada Colony in Miryalaguda town late on Thursday (June 4, 2026) night.

The victims were identified as Vanam Chandramma, 50, and her grandchildren, Laxman, 16, and Pranathi, 14.

According to Miryalaguda DSP Rajasekhar, preliminary investigations suggest that an electrical short circuit sparked the blaze, which spread rapidly through the one-storey house before a cooking gas cylinder leak exploded. The incident was reported between 11.30 p.m. and midnight.

Residents who noticed flames and smoke billowing from the house alerted the authorities. Police and fire services personnel rushed to the scene.

Two fire tenders and three ambulances reached the scene, but the narrow, densely populated lane slowed access to the house. Firefighters spent precious minutes making their way through the congested locality before stretching hoses into the lane and bringing the blaze under control with water and foam..

Investigators said Laxman and Pranathi had been living with their grandmother, who had been caring for them while their mother worked in as a caretaker at a software employee’s house in Pune. She had left for Pune just a week ago.

“Their parents had separated and the mother travelled periodically from Pune to visit her children.” Mr. Rajshekhar said.

Chandramma’s husband had died only a month ago following health complications, leaving the grandmother as the children’s primary caregiver.

Police said preliminary findings indicate that the victims made a desperate attempt to escape as the fire engulfed the house. Their completely charred bodies were found near the entrance rather than inside the main living area.

“The bodies should have been in the centre of the room beneath the fan, but they were found near the doorstep. This indicates they tried to get out but were unable to escape. The door was extensively damaged and remained closed,” the official said.

The bodies have been shifted for postmortem examination.

Police are awaiting the arrival of the children’s mother from Pune as they investigate the circumstances leading to the fire. Meanwhile Clues team and police officials have reached the spot to comb the premises and collect evidence to ascertain the cause of the blaze.