Fire in penthouse claimed life of Congress leader in Indore:Wife drove injured daughter to hospital amid suffocating smoke

Congress leader Pravesh Agarwal tragically died due to suffocation in a fire that broke out at his penthouse in Indore on Thursday morning. The fire erupted around 5:20 AM in the penthouse of the Saumya Mahindra showroom in the Lasudiya area. Agarwal, who was asleep at the time, succumbed to smoke inhalation. His elder daughter, 15-year-old Saumya, sustained serious injuries and was admitted to Bombay Hospital. His wife, Shweta Agarwal, and younger daughter, Mayra, 10, are reported to be safe. After her husband’s death, Shweta Agarwal composed herself and rushed her elder daughter to the hospital despite experiencing difficulty breathing. She displayed courage in driving to the hospital under distressing circumstances. Fire destroys bedroom items All items in the bedroom were reduced to ashes as the fire quickly spread. According to family sources, Pravesh had spent the night before the fire with his mother at his brother’s home, marking the first time he had spent extended hours with her. Around 2 AM, he returned to his penthouse and went to sleep. Three employees — Raghunath aka Raghu, Jayaram, and another staff member, were present in the showroom at the time of the fire. The fire is suspected to have originated from the eternal flame burning in the home temple. After the blaze began, Agarwal reportedly went to the back of the penthouse to rescue his daughter. Surrounded by smoke, he lost consciousness and, despite attempts at CPR by staff and police personnel, could not be saved. Evacuation through roof gate The penthouse was equipped with high security, including fingerprint locks and door cameras. Due to smoke and fire, the family could not use the main gate. Security guards evacuated everyone through a gate built on the roof. However, navigating through the smoke took time, and during this period, Pravesh Agarwal died of suffocation. His elder daughter, Saumya, was safely brought down within 10 minutes after the FRV team was dispatched by TI Taresh Soni. Family reaction and preparations In the aftermath, Pravesh’s body was taken to his brother Kamesh Agarwal’s house in Goyal Green and then to the Saumya showroom, the site of the fire. Shweta Agarwal spent the day holding her husband’s photograph and the fire-scorched Laddu Gopal idol from their home. She worshipped the idol, considering it as her son. Pravesh Agarwal shared a close bond with his mother, and family members deliberated on how to break the news to her. It was decided that the daughter Mayra would not perform the last rites to shield her from trauma; instead, a nephew carried out the ceremonies. Agarwal was known for his affection toward his daughters and would start each day by touching their feet. Political career and plans Pravesh Agarwal had business interests with Mahindra showrooms in Indore, Ratlam, Gwalior, and Bhopal. He had been actively involved in Dewas politics and was set to contest from Indore Assembly One. He had also sought a ticket for his wife, Shweta, for Dewas Mayor, which he did not receive. Agarwal had agreed to contest from Indore Assembly One and had begun preparations for the elections. He maintained a strong connection with the Narmada River and served as the National President of Narmada Sena, recruiting many supporters into the organization. Cause of fire under investigation TI Taresh Soni stated that Agarwal had lit two eternal flames in his home temple for five days to mark Deepotsav, with Thursday being the final day. The fire reportedly spread from the temple, next to which Saumya’s room was located. Although a short circuit in the air conditioning system is also being considered, preliminary investigations suggest the fire originated from the temple side. Dead rats were found on the premises, which may have accidentally knocked over the prayer flame, triggering the blaze. No other evidence of a short circuit was found. Witness accounts Employees Kavita and Varsha Sonkar arrived at the penthouse around 9 AM and observed significant damage. Varsha commented that she would never see the owner’s face again, recalling Agarwal’s kindness and festive gestures toward his staff during Diwali. The employees were visibly emotional while sharing their memories of the late leader. Smart locks and safety measures The incident has highlighted the pros and cons of using smart locks in large homes. Modern households, including Agarwal’s, now rely on fingerprint, password, or app-based smart locks for security. While these locks reduce the risk of theft and unauthorized entry, they also depend on electricity, Wi-Fi, and battery power. Malfunctions can pose risks during emergencies, such as fire. Experts advise having a hidden manual keyhole for emergencies, keeping a fire hammer or iron rod nearby, and connecting smart locks to fire alarms for automatic unlocking. Families should ensure all members are trained in emergency procedures. Timeline of events