THIRUVILWAMALA: The wife and younger son of a debt-ridden hotelier died after the hotelier attempted suicide by setting themselves on fire. The elder son and father are undergoing treatment for severe burns. The deceased have been identified as Shanthini (40), wife of Oralassery native Radhakrishnan and younger son Rahul (8). The elder son Karthik (14) and Radhakrishnan (46) are undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit of the Government Medical College, Thrissur, with severe burns.

The suicide attempt took place in the bedroom at around 8:30 am on Tuesday. Neighbours, who heard the window shattering, initially thought it was a gas cylinder explosion. After seeing the fire and smoke rising from the house, the neighbours broke into the house and extinguished the fire. All four people were soon shifted to the hospital. A police team led by Pazhayannur SI Fakhruddin and a fire force team led by Alathur Fire Force Station Officer Adarsh ​​reached the spot.

Forensic experts conducted an inspection at the spot. Traces of kerosene and petrol were found in the burnt room. Radhakrishnan has stated that he decided to commit suicide because of rising debt.