A 37-year-old man died of suffocation and his friend a French woman was admitted to hospital after a fire broke out at his house in Hauz Khas Village in South Delhi on Wednesday early morning.
The fire was reported around 5.45 am, police said Deceased Gaurav Taneja, who belonged to Karnal and deals in real estate business in Delhi, was staying on the first floor with his friend, a 23-year-old French woman Anklora for the last one year. On student visa in India, she is studying law from OP Jindal Global University in Sonepat.
They were taken to the Safdarjung Hospital where Gaurav was declared brought dead, said police.
In semi-conscious condition, Anklora was initially admitted to Safdarjung Hospital and later shifted to Apollo Hospital, they said.
“The fire was brought under control within an hour. Three fire tenders rushed to the spot but it took more time to reach the affected building since the lanes of the Hauz Khas Village are quite narrow,” said Atul Garg, chief fire officer, Delhi Fire Service.
Police said they will question Anklora after she recovers and is able to record her statement. The fire is suspected to be caused by short-circuit, a senior police official said.