Woman sets herself and children on fire

THAZHAVA: A tragic incident occurred in Kulasekharapuram, Kerala, where a woman died by suicide along with her two children by setting themselves on fire after pouring petrol. The deceased have been identified as Thara G. Krishnan (36), wife of Kulasekharapuram native Gireesh Kumar, and their two daughters — Anamika (6) and Athmika (1.5 years old).

Around 2:30 p.m. yesterday, neighbours noticed thick smoke rising through the windows and air vents of the house. They rushed to the scene, broke open the door, and found Thara and her children engulfed in flames. All three suffered around 70% burns and were immediately taken to Alappuzha Medical College Hospital, where Thara succumbed to her injuries. The children died around 7:30 p.m. the same night. Thara’s father, Gopalakrishnan, was living in the same house and had gone to a nearby shop to have tea when the incident occurred. The fire also destroyed household items, including the mattress in the room.

Thara’s husband, Gireesh Kumar, who works in Dubai, was scheduled to return home on leave yesterday, but his journey got cancelled as he did not get the ticket. That morning, Thara had gone to her in-laws' house and threatened suicide during a dispute over family property. Following this, a domestic quarrel broke out, and the Karunagappally police had to intervene and calm her down before sending her back home. The tragic incident took place just hours later.

Thara held a nursing degree and had previously worked as a nurse abroad. She had been estranged from her in-laws and had been living in a rented house near the cashew factory in North Adinad for over a year. The bodies have been moved to the Medical College Hospital Mortuary.