On Friday, September 27, 2024, a man was found dead in their rented home at Puliyanam near Angamaly and she was found charred to death along with him which raised suspicion of being a suicide.
The victims were later identified as Sanal Sasikumar (39) and Sumi Sanal (37). Two of their children, aged 11 and 4, also suffered burns. The severely mistreated younger kid was hastily transported to Little Flower Hospital in Angamaly and then to the Ernakulam Medical Centre at Palarivattom.
‘The kid was referred here in shockingly poor shape early morning with hundred percent burn and they put him on ventilator in the Burns ICU. He is still critical,’ said a source from the hospital. The elder boy escaped with minor burns on his hand.
Inside, she had apparently left a note which police suspected was written by the wife and is in regards to the family being in financial difficulties.
The Angamaly Fire and Rescue Services were informed about gas leak that is believed to have caused the blaze. “The reason for the delay here was that the house was located in a very difficult area. Until then the children had been pulled out and other locals had taken them to the hospital. Despite this, it was still on fire and we put it out with the help of water from hoses placed in another house. Even this cylinder we defused with ease,” said T V Vishwas fire safety officer.
Ward 16 of Parakkadavu panchayat Nithin Siju said the duo had owned a citizen service centre in Thuravur and hardly came into contact with the people in the area.
The children’s screaming and blaze of the house attracted the members of the surrounding population at about 11.15 pm. “The door was locked from the inside and we had to break open the door. One of them who came in the assembled group went inside the house and brought the children out,” said Siju the neighbour present at the occurrence and who drove the kids to the hospital.
According to him, the family had been residing in that area for almost ten years, but had very few connections with other individuals. Siju commented that, ‘They were more self contained as they went to their centre in the morning and came back in the evening.”
Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling 0484-2540530
