Alappuzha: An elderly couple was found dead after a fire broke out in their house at Kottamuri Junction, Chennithala, near Mavelikkara, in the early hours of Saturday. The deceased have been identified as Raghavan (97) and his wife Bharathi (95).

"The fire was first noticed around 3 am by an autorickshaw driver passing by, who alerted the locals. They immediately informed the fire force and police. Two fire brigade units arrived at the scene, extinguished the blaze, and discovered the charred bodies inside," said Mavelikkara Block Vice President Sukumari Thankachan to Onmanorama. The house was completely destroyed in the fire.

Following the incident, Mannar police detained the couple’s son, Vijayan. "The couple has five children, but only two, including Vijayan, are alive. There were ongoing disputes between the couple and Vijayan regarding property and finances. He was taken into custody from an abandoned plot near the house," Sukumari Thankachan added. The bodies were taken to the District Hospital at Mavelikkara. Further investigation into the incident is underway. The cause of death will be determined only after the autopsy procedures.