CHENNAI: Sasibala, sister of former DMDK Gummidipoondi MLA CH Sekar, was killed in a fire accident at her apartment in Adambakkam, Chennai, early Thursday morning (October 30).

The woman (58) was residing in a flat on the first floor of a three-storey residential building with her husband Anand Pratap (64), a retired chief doctor from Royapettah Government Hospital, son Rohit (23), and daughter Pooja (24), a medical college student.

Police said the fire began around 4 am, believed to have been sparked by an electrical short circuit in the living room, and spread quickly, filling the house with thick smoke. The family woke up choking on the fumes and struggled to escape.

Anand Pratap, his son, and daughter took shelter in their bathroom, while Sasibala tried to open the front door but collapsed due to suffocation.

Neighbours who heard their screams alerted the fire and police departments. Firefighters from Velachery rushed to the spot, broke open the balcony glass, and rescued Anand and his children through the bathroom ventilation window. They were rushed to the Royapettah Government Hospital with severe burns.

Sasibala was later found dead in the hall, and her body was sent for post-mortem at the Tambaram Government Hospital.

The fire destroyed furniture and valuables in the house. Neighbours said the family kept over ten pet cats that ran out in panic during the fire. Adambakkam police have registered a case and are investigating.