LANDI KOTAL, April 17: A mysterious fire killed a woman and her daughter in Jamrud sub-tehsil of Khyber Agency, relatives and elders of the area told Dawn on Thursday.

The incident occurred at the residence of Haji Andar Sher in Ghundi area, some 15kms from Jamrud Bazaar on April 3, but it went unnoticed.

Haji Andar Sher said he was offering Isha prayers in his mud house when the power supply to the area went off. He said his wife filled a lantern with kerosene oil and lit the room.

At that very moment, a blast occurred and the room in which the entire family was gathered caught fire. His wife and daughter, Basriya, were engulfed in flames. Other family members also received burn injuries. Besides, all their belongings were reduced to ashes.

Hearing the screams, Andar’s elder son, Nawab Sher, who serves in the army, rushed to the room where, while trying to rescue the family, he also sustained burn injuries.

The fire was brought under control after half an hour’s effort. The neighbours rushed the injured to the Jamrud Civil Hospital from where they were taken to Hyatabad Medical Complex.

Haji Andar Sher’s wife and daughter, Basriya, succumbed to their injuries on April 8 and 15, respectively.