A 24-year-old Indian student, Sahaja Reddy Udumala, tragically died in a house fire in Albany, New York. Udumala was pursuing her Master's degree in Albany. The Indian Consulate in New York confirmed the death on Friday.
The Consulate General of India in New York expressed deep sorrow over Udumala's untimely demise and extended heartfelt condolences to her family, assuring full support and assistance. They are in contact with the family and providing all possible support, including coordinating repatriation arrangements.
According to the Albany Police Department, officers and firefighters responded to the fire on the morning of December 4th. Upon arrival, they found the residence fully engulfed in flames and learned that several people were still inside. Emergency personnel located four adults in the home and provided on-site treatment before transporting them to a nearby hospital. Two of the victims were later transferred to a specialized burn center.
Udumala suffered severe burn injuries, affecting nearly 90% of her body. Despite continuous medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries. The police initially withheld her name pending family notification, but relatives later confirmed her identity.
Udumala's cousin, Rathna Gopu, launched a fundraiser to assist with funeral and memorial expenses, repatriation of her remains to India, support for immediate family members, and other costs stemming from the tragedy. Gopu described Udumala as a bright, hardworking, and kind student whose sudden passing has left the family devastated. She added that Udumala was warm, determined, and deeply loved by everyone around her, and that the sudden loss has left the family shattered—emotionally and financially. Gopu wrote that Sahaja “struggled immensely” in the hospital and eventually suffered complete organ failure. As of Saturday, the fundraiser has raised over USD 109,000 of the USD 120,000 target, reflecting the outpouring of support from friends and well-wishers.
The Indian mission is providing all possible support to Udumala's family during this difficult time.
