Chennai: A mother and her seven-year-old daughter were crushed to death after the roof of their house collapsed this morning in Pulianthope.

Two more from the family have been admitted in the hospital with grievous injuries.

The family consisted of Venkatesan (35), his wife Sangeetha (31) and their daughter Yuvashri (7) and son Mohanraj (3). They are residents of a three-storeyed house in Venkatesapuram New Colony, Vaysarpadi.

In total, more than 10 families resided in the building complex. The incident happened in wee hours today. Sangeetha and Yuvashri suffered head injuries and died on the way to the hospital. Venkatesan and son Mohanraj suffered grievous injuries and are admitted in the hospital.

Sources say that the house was badly damaged and not fit to live in. Even before the unfortunate incident, the roof of the house had cracks and TMT rods were jutting out, said neighbours.

Police under Pulianthope inspector Ravi are investigating the case. The house owner Kasi Maniappan (45) has a provisional store in Kannigapuram nearby and resides in Vyasarpadi. The damaged house was constructed in 2000 and Venkatesan’s family had been residing in the house for the last 10 years.