Boy, 9, dies in fire at thatched house near Kumbakonam

Trichy: A nine-year-old boy died after a fire engulfed a thatched house where he was alone near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district on Saturday.The victim, K Ekambaram, a Class IV student, was staying with his mother and younger brother in a thatched house built on the first floor of a building in Auto Nagar.According to sources, Ekambaram’s father died by suicide about two years ago. His mother, Kamatchi, has been raising him and his four-year-old brother, Gokul, by working as a domestic help.On Saturday morning, Kamatchi left for work with Gokul, leaving Ekambaram at home. Around 9.30 am, neighbours noticed flames engulfing the house. They managed to douse the fire, but found the boy charred to death inside.A seven-member team from the Kumbakonam Fire and Rescue Services, led by K Balasubramanian, reached the spot after being alerted and extinguished the remaining fire.Kumbakonam police registered a case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and are investigating the cause of the fire.Agriculture minister R Vinoth later visited the spot and consoled the bereaved family. Residents complained that officials had failed to reach the site promptly, following which the minister reprimanded the officials and warned of strict action against those found negligent.