Meghalaya church, adjacent house gutted in fire, two killed
Shillong: An elderly couple died when a century-old church and an adjacent house in Meghalaya's capital were gutted in a devastating fire early on Sunday, police said.
The couple, residing in the house, could have died of asphyxiation and a preliminary investigation has ruled out vandalism, police said.
East Khasi Hills district SP Claudia Lyngwa said the incident was reported at around 4 am and three fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the blaze. An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the exact cause of fire, Lyngwa said.
The 117-year-old church at Qualapatty area was reduced to ashes and the fire could be due to an electrical short- circuit as the church was undergoing large-scale repair work, the eyewitnesses said.
The church is located in the middle of a very densely populated area and is surrounded by many houses, the district police chief said, adding that the fire brigade officials faced difficulties to reach the spot as the road leading to the church is very narrow.
"As of now investigation is on. We are collecting all the details. As the church is very secured, there is little chance of vandalism," Lyngwa said.
According to the SP, the couple could have died when they went inside their house to collect some valuables and inhaled smoke from the razing fire.
"Meghalaya woke up to the tragic news of the Church of God, Qualapatty being gutted in fire that also claimed lives this morning. The indigenous church is one of the oldest in the state. My prayers for the deceased and the Church of God family," Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma wrote on his twitter handle.
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RCB beat MI by 18 runs after batters fire
Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.
In response, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.
Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for MI with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.
While opener Rohit Sharma appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue and had to retire hurt on 19, his partner Ryan Rickelton made 37, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) were the other contributors for MI.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).
