Four women died and two others were severely injured when a refrigerator reportedly exploded in a residential building in Belagavi district of Karnataka in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The incident occurred around 2:30 am at a house in the Chavat Gali area, local police confirmed.
According to authorities, the blast — suspected to be caused by an electrical short circuit — triggered a fire that spread rapidly through the compact dwelling. All the victims were family members residing in the same household. Firefighters and rescue personnel reached the scene within minutes, but by the time they arrived, the blaze had already taken hold and trapped those inside.
The deceased women have been identified as Ganga Damone, Sharada Damone, Priya Damone, and Bharti Damone. Two other family members — a father and son — sustained serious burn injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they remain under critical care.
Local police stated that the refrigerator likely suffered a short circuit, causing an explosive blast followed by intense flames. Because the fire erupted suddenly in the middle of the night, the occupants had little time to evacuate. Fire investigators have since been called in to examine the site and determine the precise cause of the malfunction.
This tragic incident has once again brought attention to the dangers posed by aging or poorly maintained household electrical appliances in Indian homes, particularly in densely populated urban and semi-urban neighborhoods where rescue access can be delayed.
Police have registered a case and are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
