Four of family die as refrigerator explodes in Karnataka's Belagavi

The brief

Context

Four members of the Damone family died and two were critically injured when a refrigerator reportedly exploded at their home in Chavat Galli, near the Central Bus Stand in Belagavi, Karnataka, on Monday night. The family, which had installed a Ganesha idol at home for Ganesha Chaturthi, was sleeping close to the refrigerator in a shed that did not have concrete walls. Neighbours who heard a loud noise around 2.15 am rushed in and pulled out two survivors; the others were charred to death. Police have registered a case and are probing whether a short circuit — possibly from lights decorating the Ganesh idol — caused the blast.

Key facts

• Four members of one family were killed and two injured in a reported refrigerator explosion in Belagavi, Karnataka, on Monday night.
• The dead: Bharati Damone (50), Sharada Damone (45), Ganga Damone (25) and Priya Damone (24) — all killed on the spot.
• Gajanan Damone (65) and Roshan Damone (21) were pulled out by neighbours and have 60 per cent burn injuries, according to police.
• Residents heard a loud noise around 2.15 am and found the family's shed on fire.
• Family relations: Sharada was Gajanan's wife, Bharati his sister; Ganga and Priya were the couple's daughters and Roshan their son.
• The family had kept a Ganesha idol at home to observe Ganesha Chaturthi; the idol was decorated with lights, which police suspect may have caused a short circuit.
• The shed had no concrete walls and was shattered by the blast; most valuables were burnt.
• Gajanan worked as a carpenter, while others in the family worked as house helps or in commercial establishments.

Timeline

1. Monday night (before the blast)The Damone family kept a Ganesha idol at their Chavat Galli house for Ganesha Chaturthi, had dinner and went to sleep close to the refrigerator, as usual.
2. Around 2.15 amResidents heard a loud noise, rushed to the family's shed and found it on fire.
3. Immediately afterNeighbours pulled out Gajanan and Roshan; the other four were charred to death.
4. After the incidentGajanan and Roshan were shifted to hospital with 60 per cent burns; police registered a case and began investigating the cause.

Who has a stake

• The Damone family — Lost four members; two survivors with 60 per cent burns are undergoing hospital treatment, and most household valuables were burnt.
• Belagavi police — Have registered a case and must establish how the refrigerator exploded — whether a short circuit or another fire triggered it.
• Neighbours and local residents — First responders who heard the blast and rescued two survivors from the burning shed.
• Hospital treating the injured — Managing two patients with 60 per cent burn injuries.
• Households in informal, non-concrete dwellings — Face heightened fire and electrical risk when sleeping in close proximity to appliances in cramped shed-type structures.

Why it matters

The deaths point to how everyday household appliances and festive electrical decorations can turn lethal in cramped, non-concrete dwellings where families sleep beside their refrigerator. With police suspecting a short circuit, possibly linked to lights on the Ganesh idol, the case raises questions about electrical safety, appliance maintenance and fire escape options in low-income homes. It also underlines the role of neighbours as de facto first responders when a fire breaks out at 2 am.