Indian couple and minor daughter killed in ‘suspicious’ house fire in Canada

An Indian-origin couple and their teenage daughter died after a fire broke out at their home in Ontario, Canada. The incident occurred on March 7 but was reported on Friday after the remains were identified as those of a family of three.

The family lives in the area of ​​Big Sky Way and Van Kirk Drive in Brampton.

Investigators said they were unable to determine the death toll shortly after arriving at the scene after being alerted by a neighbor of the family, the Press Trust of India news agency reported.

However, when the fire was extinguished, they discovered what are believed to be human remains.

The family were identified as Rajiv Warikoo, 51, his wife Shilpa Kotha, 47, and their 16-year-old daughter Mahek Warikoo.

Local media reported that police had not determined the cause of the fire and considered it “suspicious.”

The report quoted a police officer as saying: “We are currently investigating this matter with the Homicide Bureau and we believe this matter is suspicious, just like the Ontario Fire Marshal believes this fire was not accidental.”

Police said in a news release that they were continuing to investigate the deaths of three family members and urged anyone with information to come forward.