Nine Killed in Early-Morning Fire at Residential Building in Delhi’s Shahdara.
New Delhi:
At least nine people lost their lives and 15 others were injured after a devastating fire broke out in a residential building in Shahdara, East Delhi, in the early hours of Sunday. The tragic incident occurred in the Vivek Vihar Phase-I area and prompted a large-scale rescue operation by emergency services.
According to officials from the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), the fire was reported at approximately 3:48 a.m. in a four-storey building comprising a basement, stilt parking, and multiple residential flats. Eyewitnesses indicated that the blaze likely originated from an air conditioner on the first floor and rapidly spread to the upper levels.
Firefighting efforts were significantly hampered by structural obstacles, particularly a grilled enclosure on the rear side of the building. This design feature obstructed rescue teams from accessing several flats, leading to greater casualties among residents trapped at the back.
A total of 14 firefighting units—including fire tenders, water bowsers, and specialized rescue equipment—were deployed to control the blaze. After nearly three hours of continuous effort, the fire was brought under control at around 6:25 a.m.
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
During the operation, 15 residents were rescued, some with serious injuries. Many of the injured were taken to nearby hospitals, though several were discharged after receiving initial treatment.
Authorities confirmed the recovery of nine charred bodies from different parts of the building:
One body was found on the first floor
Five bodies were recovered from the second floor
Three victims were discovered in a locked staircase on the fourth floor
The victims belonged to three families. Among the deceased were members of the Jain family, including elderly individuals, a young couple, and a toddler. Several others from adjacent flats were either injured or narrowly escaped.
Officials noted that residents on the front side of the building were largely rescued in time, while those at the rear suffered the most due to restricted access.
Official Response and Investigation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident, offering condolences to the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. He also announced financial assistance of Rs. 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also conveyed his condolences and assured that authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
Similar Incident Raises Concerns
The tragedy comes just weeks after a similar fire in Palam Colony, Southwest Delhi, on March 18, which also claimed nine lives. The recurrence of such incidents has raised serious concerns about fire safety compliance in residential buildings across the capital.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess possible violations of safety norms. Officials emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in urban safety infrastructure and underscores the urgent need for improved building regulations and emergency preparedness in densely populated residential areas.
