NEW DELHI: Retired IAS officer Dhanendra Kumar tragically lost his life after an air conditioner exploded in his Delhi home on Wednesday night, just days before his 80th birthday. The incident occurred at his residence in the capital, filling the rooms with thick smoke and intense fire.
Pre-Birthday Plans Cut Short
Kumar had planned a pre-birthday celebration at the Gymkhana Club on Saturday, ahead of his actual birthday on June 6. He was surrounded by friends and family for the occasion. Following the celebration, he, his wife, and his son were scheduled to fly to London. However, the tragic event on Wednesday night cut short all those plans.
His son Gaurav, a London-based businessman, had arrived in Delhi just a few days earlier to accompany his father on the trip. Kumar's daughter and her two children were also expected to join them in London before returning to India with their parents.
Sequence of Events
According to Kumar's manager, Abhishek, the family was sitting at the dining table discussing their plans just hours before the incident. Later, Kumar and his son retired to their respective rooms. Gaurav was on the phone with his wife in London when the indoor unit of the air conditioner in his room caught fire.
The false ceiling quickly fueled the flames, which spread to the furniture. Gaurav rushed out to rescue his father and mother, who uses a wheelchair. His wife immediately alerted Abhishek. The smoke and fire crossed the dining room and began to billow into the adjoining room where Kumar was in the washroom.
Another staff member, Deepak, recounted, "We kept calling out to him. He responded not once, but twice. But the moment he came out, he collapsed. Nothing was visible."
Rescue Efforts
A security guard and Gaurav, battling the suffocating fumes, managed to drag Kumar out. Meanwhile, a house help safely guided Kumar's wife away from the spreading fire. The dense smoke and intense heat soon overcame Gaurav as well. He collapsed midway, but the house staff pulled him to safety.
Despite these efforts, the fire and smoke ultimately claimed Kumar's life. He died during treatment on Thursday. A postmortem is awaited to determine the exact cause of death.
Tributes to a Dedicated Life
Remembering him, the staff said Kumar always treated them like family. "Even at the age of 79, he remained extremely energetic and dedicated to his work. He was the chairman of an advisory firm. Seeing his discipline and enthusiasm motivated all of us. He used to work from 7 am to 9 pm," said Abhishek. "He was a loving and devoted husband who used to take care of his wife."
About the Author
Abhay is a Special Correspondent at The Times of India, Delhi, with extensive experience in investigative journalism. Since 2014, he has been covering crime and prisons, providing in-depth analysis and thought-provoking reports.
