A 24-year-old Indian woman student, Sahaja Reddy Udumala, succumbed to severe burn injuries in a house fire in Albany, New York. Sahaja, a Master’s degree student in the United States, was seriously injured and died despite receiving intensive medical treatment.
The Indian Consulate in New York confirmed the incident on Friday and said it was deeply grieved by the news while extending support to the family in this hour of grief.
Emergency crews responded to a fully engulfed house.
Authorities and the Albany Fire Department responded to the fire, according to the Albany Police Department, on the morning of December 4.
When emergency crews arrived, the residence was completely engulfed in flames. Four adults were located inside the house. They were treated on the scene by the responding emergency medical personnel and taken to local hospitals, with two later being transferred to a critical care burn center.
We are deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Ms. Sahaja Reddy Udumala, an Indian national, who lost her life in a house fire incident in Albany.
Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences to her family during this difficult time. The Consulate is in touch with late Ms. Sahaja’s…— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) December 6, 2025
Serious Injuries and Struggle for Survival
Udumala suffered 90% burns and battled valiantly for her life. She succumbed to complete organ failure despite the best efforts of medical teams. Police had initially withheld the identity, but it was confirmed by the family later.
Family Launches Fundraiser for Repatriation and Support Following the tragedy, a fundraiser was started by Udumala’s cousin Rathna Gopu to help with funeral and memorial expenses, repatriation to India, support for the immediate family, and any other additional costs due to the incident. Gopu described Sahaja as a bright, hardworking, and warm-hearted student whose sudden death left the family devastated both emotionally and financially.
Community Rallies Around Family The family fundraiser has raised over 109,000 USD of its 120,000 USD target so far, proof of the international community’s support for Sahaja’s family. The Indian Consulate confirmed it was coordinating with the family to provide all assistance and arrangements, including the transportation of her remains back to India.
Remembering Sahaja Reddy Udumala Sahaja was a bright and ambitious student with a very promising future. Her tragic death serves as the worst nightmare for any international student and family. An investigation into the cause of the fire is still ongoing by the police.
Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience covering Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes that every voice matters, and journalism has a vital role to play in amplifying those voices. Sofia is committed to creating impact and shedding light on stories that truly matter. Beyond her work in the newsroom, she is also a music enthusiast who enjoys singing.
