THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Fire force has submitted a report on the Varkala fire that killed five members of a family. The fire spread from the car porch of the house to the hall through the cable. The presence of flammable items in the hall also increased the danger.

Meanwhile, as per the report, the family members were aware of the fire and tried to escape. While trying to open the door they might have inhaled smoke. The bodies lying near the door are evidence of this, states the report.

Prathap and his family, natives of Dalawapuram, Varkala, died in a fire at their two-storey house. Pratap's wife Shirley, youngest son Ahil, second son Nihul's wife Abhirami and eight-month-old baby Ryan are the deceased. Nihul, who was also present there at the day of the accident, was critically injured. When the neighbor told him about the fire, he moved his wife and baby to the bathroom.

Nihul says he tried to go to the door but could not. Tests were carried out to determine the possibility of a coup, but no evidence was found. It was also found that there was no presence of strangers in the locality. The postmortem report said the cause of death was smoke inhalation and heat.