SHEIKHUPURA, Nov 28: Eight members of a family were burnt alive in a fire that engulfed their house at Nankana Sahib’s Moorkhanda Town, about 70 kilometre from here, late Thursday night. Union Council Nazim Aslam Sheikh, the head of the family, was among the casualties.

Reports said Nazim Aslam Sheikh’s family was asleep at their house when a fire broke out apparently owing to a short-circuit. As no one could get up, the flames engulfed the house as a result of which the entire family – Aslam, his wife Mehran Bibi, mother Sardaran Bibi, daughters Aqsa and Amina, and sons Faizan, Zeeshan and Afaq (the children aged between four and 11 years) were burnt alive.

As Aslam also ran his business, the commercial centres and almost all shops in the town remained closed in mourning.

His uncle, Rafique, and brother-in-law Munir described the event as an accident, denying any act of subversion. “We have no enmity,” they said.

The Mangtanwala police have started investigation.

KILLINGS: A wagon driver, Liaquat, was allegedly strangled by some people at Dhamke village. His body was found lying at doorstep of his house, reports said. In Chak 46, labourer Hadayt Ali was shot dead by robbers.

Relevant police stations are investigating.