Indian couple killed in tragic Dubai fire while sharing Iftar meal with neighbours
Dubai, April 17: Rijesh Kalangadan, 38, and his wife Jeshi Kandamangalath, 32, both originally from Kerala, were preparing a traditional Hindu harvest festival meal, Vishusadhya, to share with their Muslim neighbours to break the fast on Saturday evening.
Unfortunately, the couple were killed in a major fire that broke out in the Al Ras area in Dubai which left 16 people dead and nine others injured.
Rijesh worked as a business development manager with a travel and tourism company while Jeshi was a school teacher. The couple were known for their hospitality, having invited their Muslim neighbours, a group of bachelors from Kerala, to join them for an iftar meal during the Ramadan month.
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Riyas Kaikambam, who lived with seven roommates in the same apartment building, said that the couple were very friendly and often invited their neighbours to join them for their festivals. He recalled that he last saw the couple outside their apartment, and Jeshi was crying.
The Dubai Civil Defence Operations Room was notified of the fire at 12.35 pm on Saturday and teams from the Port Saeed Fire Station and the Hamriyah Fire Station were sent to the scene. The fire was extinguished by 2:42 pm and at 3 pm, the civil defence team was able to rescue the occupants on the third floor by cranes.
It is heartbreaking to think of the tragedy that befell Rijesh and Jeshi, who were so welcoming and generous to their neighbours. The couple will be remembered for their kindness and hospitality.
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- With inputs from agencies
