Three of Gujarat family die of suffocation in Ohio motel fire while awaiting rescue

Three members of family from Gujarat’s Kheda reportedly died of suffocation on Wednesday (July 2, local time) when a fire broke out at a motel in Ohio, US where they have been living and working.

The deceased have been identified as Hiteshbhai Suthar, his wife Hinaben and their 20-year-old daughter Ishani. According to a report in India Today, the family had been living in Ohio’s Wooster area for about two years.

The incident took place at the Econo Lodge motel, where Hiteshbhai was employed.

Fire breaks out

The family was staying at the motel when the fire broke out at around 1.30 am local time. By the time firefighters reached the scene, flames had engulfed parts of the building, and thick smoke was pouring from the roof.

Preliminary information suggests the family was inside their room when the blaze erupted. As the fire spread, they contacted the motel's front desk seeking assistance.

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They were reportedly advised to switch on the bathroom water supply and remain inside the bathroom until help arrived. Following the instructions, the family locked themselves in the bathroom in an effort to protect themselves from the flames and smoke.

Rescue operations continued as firefighters worked to contain the blaze, but the three family members are believed to have died of suffocation before they could be reached.

Rescue failed

According to local media reports, emergency crews made repeated attempts to rescue those trapped inside the building. Visuals from the scene showed extensive damage to a detached rear section of the motel, located about 96 kilometres south of Cleveland.

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"We saw multiple units on fire, fire through the roof, made multiple rescue attempts, and unfortunately, those were unsuccessful, and there are confirmed three deceased occupants from the motel,” ABC News quoted a senior fire official as saying.

Desperate final call

April Graser, a motel employee who was on duty at the time, said the overnight shift had been uneventful until the fire alarms suddenly sounded.

Recalling the family's desperate call for help, Graser said she could hear them crying as they remained trapped inside the room. She immediately dialled 911 to alert emergency responders.

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“He was begging me to get help because they were trapped in the building, they couldn't get out of their apartment, and I heard her crying, I heard them all screaming and crying," the staff April Graser said. "He told me, 'Please, please, April, please.' I said, I called 911,” he told News 5.

No other deaths or injuries were reported in the incident. One firefighter sustained minor injuries while responding to the blaze, according to local reports.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. Further details are awaited.