India, Nov. 10 -- Six members of a family, including two teenage girls, died after a fire engulfed their grocery store and residence in Yedshi village of Dharashiv district in the early hours of Monday. An 18-year-old family member was the sole survivor of the tragedy, which occurred while the family was celebrating Diwali.

The fire broke out around 2.30 am at Karande Kirana Stores, where the family lived on the first floor and operated the grocery business on the ground floor. The flames spread rapidly, trapping the family members as thick smoke filled the residential portion.

The deceased have been identified as Uttam Karande (75), his wife Chandrakala (72), their son Govind (45), daughter-in-law Jyoti (40), and granddaughters Gayatri...