Idukki: Police on Thursday made a preliminary assessment that the man found burnt to death in a house fire at Vellathooval was Sashindran, a native of Rajakkad. Sashindran had reportedly arrived in Vellathooval a few days ago to visit his brother, Vikram, who lived alone in the house. Initially, police believed Vikram was the victim, but he was traced late at night and found alive.

When attempts to contact Sashindran on his mobile phone failed, police gathered information from neighbours and friends and concluded that the deceased was Sashindran. Residents said they heard a loud explosion on Christmas night, following which fire and rescue services, along with the police, rushed to the spot. The house was found engulfed in flames, and a completely charred body was recovered from inside.

Police suspect the fire may have spread while fireworks were being burst. Vikram is reportedly a person with mental health issues and had stored plastic waste and other materials inside and around the house, which may have caught fire due to sparks from fireworks, officials said.

After a forensic examination, the body was shifted to Idukki Medical College Hospital. Police said the identity of the deceased will be officially confirmed after DNA analysis and other scientific tests. A case of unnatural death has been registered, and an investigation is underway.