36-year-old from Udham Singh Nagar killed in California store blaze

RUDRAPUR: A 36-year-old man from Nanakmatta in Udham Singh Nagar district died in a fire outbreak at a liquor store in Redwood City, California, on Tuesday (Monday night PST). Anil Sharma had moved to the United States two years ago for work and was living in California.Police said the store was closed when it caught fire, trapping Sharma and another worker inside. Firefighters found both men dead after dousing the flames.Sharma’s father, Shankar Sharma, said the family was informed by relatives and friends in the US. “Anil was the only surviving son of the household; his elder brother had died by suicide several years ago. We have lost the last light of our home,” he said.Local councillor Vishal Goyal, who visited the family, described the incident as a devastating loss. “Anil’s death is a heartbreaking tragedy for the entire community. We stand with the family in this hour of grief and have sought assistance from the district administration,” he said.Authorities in California have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to bring Sharma’s remains back to India. He is survived by his wife and two children.