US: Couple from Gujarat, daughter die in Ohio motel fire; Know what caused blaze, who were they

Three members of a family from Gujarat lost their lives after a fire broke out at a motel in Ohio, United States, where they had been living and working for the past two years.

The victims were identified as Hiteshbhai Suthar, his wife Hinaben, and their 20-year-old daughter Ishani. The family hailed from Nadiad in Gujarat’s Kheda district and had moved to the US in search of a job.

The tragic incident took place at around 1.30 am at the Econo Lodge motel in Wooster, Ohio, where Hiteshbhai was employed. The family was also residing at the motel when the fire broke out.

According to local reports, the family was inside their room when the blaze started. As smoke and flames quickly spread through the building, they reportedly contacted the motel’s front desk seeking immediate assistance.

They were allegedly advised to turn on the water supply in the bathroom and stay inside until help arrived. Following the instructions, the family locked themselves inside the bathroom in an attempt to protect themselves from the fire and thick smoke.

However, the blaze took time to bring under control, and the family could not be rescued in time. Hiteshbhai, Hinaben and Ishani are believed to have died due to suffocation caused by smoke inhalation before emergency crews reached them.

Authorities are yet to determine the exact cause of the fire. An investigation is currently underway to establish how the blaze started and whether any safety lapses contributed to the tragedy.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the family’s hometown in Gujarat, where relatives and residents are mourning the loss of three lives in a tragedy far from home.

Read Also: Ayodhya temple row: Lawyers break barricades, raise ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans, demand FIR against Champat Rai