Three Indian teen siblings, Aaron Naik (17,) Joy Naik (15) and Sharon Naik (14,) hailing from Telangana, died on Sunday, after a fire broke out at a house in Collierville, Tennessee, the United States (U.S.)
The three siblings were studying at French Camp Academy, a Christian boarding home and academy in Mississippi. They were staying with the Coudriet family in Collierville, as they were on vacation and their parents were on a trip to India.
The Coudriet family, Dany Coudriet, Kari Coudriet and their son Cole Coudriet, invited the three siblings to stay with them to celebrate Christmas.
The fire broke out at the Coudriet house on the 23rd of December, around 11 P.M., and killed the three siblings and Kari Coudriet, whereas Dany and Cole escaped. Both Dany and Cole were admitted to a hospital and are undergoing treatment.
The Collierville Fire Department reached the spot and extinguished the fire. After 20 to 30 minutes, the fire was under control.
The Coudriet Collierville Bible Church released a statement, “A fire started around 11 o’clock pm at the Coudriet home. The Coudriet family was hosting, housing, and celebrating Christmas with three teenagers attending an Academy here in the States. The Naik family are missionaries in India that our church supports.”
Stan Joyner, the Mayor of Collierville, said, “They’re still looking at what the cause of it was.” In addition, he said, “I was told when they arrived they did not hear any smoke alarms going off … so you just never know.”
An investigation is underway to find out the reason behind the fire.
Srinivas Naik and Sujatha, the parents of Sharon, Joy and Aaron, are on their way to the U.S. and are expected to reach soon. The couple are missionaries and live in Nalgonda district, Telangana.
