A family of three persons escaped unhurt after fire broke out in the hut they were living at Narasingapuram village near Walajah town in Ranipet on Sunday.

Police said that K. Nagaraj (30), a mason, was living with his wife N. Bhavani (28) and a three-year-old daughter in a hut in the village for many years.

Initial inquiry revealed that it was around 2 p.m when the family was sitting outside their house, Nagaraj noticed thick smoke coming from the house. Immediately, along with neighbours and other residents, he tried to douse off the fire but the fire spread to the entire hut. 

Based on alert, a six-member fire fighters team from Ranipet town rushed to the spot. Before firefighters could reach the spot, fire spread to the entire house. After nearly an hour of hard labour, fire fighters doused it. The hut was gutted. 

A case was registered by Walajah police. Police said an electrical short circuit from the main electrical board inside the house could be the reason for the incident. A probe is underway.