Electrical experts begin probe into AC blast, fire that killed retd IAS officer
An electrical inspection team on Friday has started its probe to ascertain the cause of the blast in the air-conditioner that led to a fire and killed retired bureaucrat Dhanendra Kumar in his Hauz Khas Enclave house, people aware of the matter said.
Mittal said a first information report (FIR) has been filed. (PEXEL/Representative Image)A senior police officer said investigators would also ask officials of the company that manufactured the air-conditioner to join the probe.
Kumar, who was the first chairman of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) between 2009 and 2011, died at the AIIMS Trauma Centre on Thursday morning, hours after he was rushed to hospital around midnight.
According to a preliminary investigation, Kumar was in the washroom when the fire broke out and spread rapidly. By the time his family were able to reach him, Kumar had collapsed.
Deputy commissioner of police (south) Anant Mittal said a first information report (FIR) has been filed.
The DCP said officials of the city government’s Electrical Inspectorate visited the house on Friday to carry out a thorough inspection of the AC and ascertain the fault in the device that led to the blast, which triggered the fire.
Another officer said the police team would also ask officials concerned with the A-C firm to join the probe.” They will be asked to carry out a thorough inspection of the AC to determine the exact fault that led to the blast,” he said, adding that the family would also be asked about the maintenance of the appliance.
“We will also be questioning the AC mechanic or engineer who last serviced the appliance,” a police officer associated with the probe.
Police said the incident took place around 11 pm on Wednesday at the family’s residence in Hauz Khas Enclave. At about 11.18 pm, the Hauz Khas police station received information about the house fire, after which police personnel and two fire tenders reached the scene. The blaze was brought under control with the help of residents and police personnel, the DCP said.
Kumar’s daughter, Ruchira Kumar, who works with the World Bank in the United States, is expected to reach Delhi on Friday.
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