Toddler dies after electric scooter catches fire while charging; father in critical condition

CHENNAI: A toddler succumbed to burn injuries suffered after an electric scooter caught fire while charging in Chennai on Tuesday. Three members of a family suffered burn injuries in the incident. The toddler died while undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Gowthaman (31), his wife Manju (28) and their nine-month-old baby girl were injured in an accident that occurred at an apartment in Bhagyalakshmi Nagar, Maduravayol, early Sunday morning. Manju’s health is now stable. Gowtham, with more than 50% burn on his body is now in critical condition.

According to police, the scooter on charge mode went aflame at 5:30 am on Sunday. Gowthaman, an electric motor mechanic took his daughter and tried to run upstairs to safety but was caught in the fire. In no time the fire spread to the entrance of the house and Manju too suffered injuries. The small size of the entrance left no space for Gowthaman to escape and the low visibility amid flames added to the tragedy.