Ludhiana, Sept. 25 -- Two members of a family and their pet (dog) lost their lives after a massive fire broke out in a residential building in the petrol pump street near Bharat Nagar Chowk on Wednesday morning. The fire, said to have been triggered by a short circuit, began from the ground floor of the house which had been converted into a hosiery godown by Chopra Industries. The dense smoke from the burning fabric rapidly spread through the building, engulfing the house and trapping the victims inside.

The deceased have been identified as Rani Chopra (75), suffering from paralysis, and her grandson Garv Chopra (18). They were unable to escape in time. Six other members of the extended Chopra family were evacuated by fire officials. The...