DVB inspectors who visited the spot have ruled out the possibility of a short-circuit. There was no electricity in the area between 3 a.m. and 11 a.m., and the fire was reported at around 7.30 a.m.. ``It is therefore impossible that the fire resulted from an electric appliance or a short-circuit,'' says an official.

Dalal says he had gone to drop off his children and wife who works as a teacher at their school in Najafgarh at around 7.15 a.m.. When he returned at around 7.30 a.m. he noticed smoke emanating from the bedroom. But the lock on the door was intact.

The fire, however, did not spread beyond the bedroom and was brought under control by fire brigade personnel. An air-conditioner and some furniture were badly damaged in the blaze. Since one of the windows in the bedroom was open, the police and Dalal suspect that someone could have thrown an incendiary substance inside. Experts from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) went to inspect the spot later in the day. Their report is expected to reveal the exact cause of the fire.