VARKALA: Five members including a baby of a family were burnt to death after a fire broke out at their house in Cherunniyoor, Varkala. Prathapan (64) running a vegetable shop in Puthenchantha, his wife Shirley (53), son Akhil (25), daughter-in-law Abhirami (24) and their eight-month-old baby are those dead.

Prathapan’s elder son Nikhil (29) sustained serious burns. He is undergoing treatment at a private hospital. Fire broke out at their two-storeyed house. The neighbours after seeming smoke and fire emanating from the house informed the fire force.

By the time the fire force reached, almost all the rooms were in fire. They were able to douse the flames only at 6 am. Vehicles parked in front of their house also caught fire. Initial reports said short circuit is the reason for the fire. Rural SP Divya Gopinath has reached the spot.