Four people, including three teenagers from Telangana, lost their lives in the United States on Sunday after a fire broke out at a home in Collierville in Tennessee at around 11 pm. The deceased people were identified as 46-year-old Kari Coudriet and Sharron Naik (14), Joy Naik (15) and Aaron Naik (17).
The parents of the three teenagers reportedly hail from Nalgonda district in Telangana and the father of the teens was said to be a pastor at the Collierville Bible Church. According to media reports, the parents were in India on a missionary trip.
The teenagers were students at French Camp Academy in Mississippi and visited the Courdiet household in Collierville after they were invited for Christmas.
While the exact cause for the fire is yet to be ascertained, Kari Courdiet’s husband, Danny, and son, Cole, survived the incident and are undergoing treatment in the hospital.
While both of them were taken to the Emergency Room, with Danny being treated for minor burns, both their conditions are stable.
Neighbours also participated in the rescue attempt until firefighters arrived, but in vain.
“By the time we already come out of the house, we heard them yell and the house was, you know, a blaze,” Scott Symons, a neighbour, told a local media outlet.
“Friends and family, please pray for Pastor Naik and his wife. They sent their three precious children to America from India to keep them safe, and during the break, a fire took their lives. They have been a blessing to the French Camp community and are loved by our whole town. I cannot fathom the grief of their parents as I know how much our town is grieving,” the Town of French Camp said in a Facebook post.
The Collierville Bible Church in a detailed post, said, “At this time, we are asking for privacy and discretion regarding the Missionary children. The family is in route from India and many of the details of the events are still being communicated to the family. Please respect this family and give them the time and ability to process information.”
Further details are awaited.