THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: IG R Nishandhini said a preliminary investigation into the incident in which five members of a family were killed in a fire that broke out in a house in Varkala could not find anything unusual. The fire and rescue officials had earlier said the cause of death was smoke inhalation and there is no suspicion in the deaths.

‘The halls of the house have been completed gutted in the fire. The rooms were all closed. Nothing suspicious was found. The gypsum work in the house may have caused the fire to spread. More investigation has to be conducted. The incident, which claimed the lives of five people, will be given its own significance. Inspection by experts is continuing,’ Nishandhini told media after visiting the spot.

The fire broke out at the house of Prathapan, a trader of vegetables at Cherunniyoor in Varkala, early this morning. Prathapan (64), his wife Shirley (53), son Akhil (25), daughter-in-law Abhirami (24) and their eight-month-old baby were those dead. Prathapan’s elder son Nikhil (29) is in a serious condition. A clarity would be obtained only after taking his statement.