Three of family in Panruti suffer burn injuries after petrol can catches fire

Three members of a family sustained burn injuries when petrol stored in a plastic can caught fire in a house in Panruti near here on Tuesday.

Police said Gunasekaran, 72, a sculptor had bought 10 litres of petrol and stored it in a plastic can fearing shortage of fuel following escalating tensions in West Asia. Gunasekaran’s wife Devaki, 65, was lighting a lamp when the petrol can caught fire.

The flames spread rapidly, injuring the couple and their son Thanikachalam, 48. Hearing their cries, neighbours alerted the Panruti Fire and Rescue Services personnel who doused the fire and rescued them.

The trio was admitted to the Panruti Government Hospital. Further investigations are on.