Archive · 3 Aug 2026
Kerala Family Dies After Inhaling Sodium Nitrite Fumes
A family from Kerala moved to a rented flat in Pune.
One of them bought a dangerous chemical called sodium nitrite online.
On a Saturday, they burned it with charcoal, creating poisonous gas.
The family inhaled the gas and died.
Police found a note saying they did it because of money problems.
They are still looking into why they did this and what happened before.
Three family members died after inhaling fumes from burning sodium nitrite with charcoal in Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Police say the chemical was ordered online on June 1, about two months before the incident, suggesting premeditation.
A handwritten note claimed the deaths were voluntary due to financial distress, prompting an investigation into the family's finances.
The family had moved to a rented apartment in Morwadi three years earlier after selling their flat in Nehru Nagar, and debts may have played a role.
The Sant Tukaram Nagar Police have registered an Accidental Death Report and are continuing the investigation, including forensic analysis of seized phones.
- Who
- Vinod Pillai, his wife Silja Pillai, and daughter Poornima Pillai
- What
- Died after inhaling fumes from burning sodium nitrite with charcoal
- When
- Saturday morning (incident occurred after June 1 purchase)
- Where
- Morwadi apartment, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune
- Why
- Alleged financial distress and possible premeditation
- Victims
- Vinod Pillai, Silja Pillai, Poornima Pillai
- Date of incident
- Saturday morning (exact date not specified)
- Location
- Morwadi, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune
- Cause of death
- Inhalation of toxic fumes from sodium nitrite and charcoal
- Investigation status
- Accidental Death Report registered, ongoing investigation
