Thiruvananthapuram, March 8 : Five members of a family including an eight-month-old baby were charred to death after their house caught fire at 1:45 am at Varkala district of Kerala on Tuesday. The victims were identified as Prathapan (64), his wife Sherly (53), their younger son Akhil (29), their elder son’s wife Abhirami (25), her child Riyan, sources said. Abhirami’s husband Nihul who suffered serious burn injuries was taken to a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram and his condition is said to be critical. A police team including forensic officials rushed to the spot and began a detailed probe into the shocking incident. According to the locals, four bikes parked in the car porch were completely burnt to ashes. The air conditioners of the two-storey building were completely destroyed in the fire that engulfed all materials in the rooms. House owner Prathapan was running a vegetable shop in the area. The cause of the fire is yet to be assertained. DS PRT