Daijiworld Media Network - Bijnor

Bijnor, May 5: In a heart-wrenching tragedy, an elderly couple with physical disabilities was burnt alive after a fire engulfed their home in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor district late Sunday night, police said.

The incident came to light on Monday morning when neighbours in Kunjeta village of Badhapur area noticed thick smoke rising from the house and raised an alarm, said Circle Officer (Nagina) Anjani Kumar.

The deceased have been identified as Mahavir Singh (80) and his wife Omi Devi (75). The couple was sleeping in an upper room of their house when the fire broke out. Preliminary investigation suggests that the blaze may have been accidentally triggered by a matchstick used to light a beedi, which is suspected to have ignited the bedding.

Tragically, the couple, both of whom had physical disabilities, were unable to escape the flames and died due to severe burn injuries. Their charred bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination, police added.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, with villagers mourning the loss of the elderly couple.