Mumbai, July 3 -- An elderly couple died of suffocation after a fire broke out in an electric meter box at their residence in Mumbai's Jogeshwari East on Friday morning, officials said.

According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the fire broke out in the electric meter box at Gomati Vaishali Chawl at around 6:59 am. Thick smoke spread through the premises, causing the couple to suffocate.

"Two deaths reported in Jogeshwari East chawl, a senior citizen couple suffocated due to fire and smoke from an electric meter box. The elderly husband and wife died in an electric meter box fire at 6:59 am this morning," the BMC said.

The deceased have been identified as Salim Tadvi (75) and Mumtaz Tadvi (67), residents of Gomati Vais...