At least nine people, including three children, lost their lives after a massive fire broke out in a residential building in Delhi’s Palam area on Wednesday morning, triggering panic and a large-scale rescue operation.
The fire was reported near the Palam Metro Station around 7 am, according to the Delhi Fire Services. Officials said the blaze spread rapidly through the building, making rescue efforts extremely difficult. Several people also sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Nearly 30 fire tenders were deployed to control the fire, which continued to rage for almost three hours before being brought under control. Firefighters used hydraulic lifts and specialised equipment to access the upper floors and evacuate trapped residents.
Visuals from the scene showed thick plumes of smoke engulfing the building, highlighting the intensity of the fire. Emergency teams worked continuously to search for survivors and recover victims from the structure.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed grief over the incident and ordered a magisterial inquiry into the cause of the fire. In a statement, she said she was “extremely distressed” by the tragic loss of lives.
Preliminary reports suggest that the fire may have been caused by a short circuit, although officials have not yet confirmed the exact reason. Residents claimed that the blaze began early in the morning and spread quickly across the building.
Eyewitnesses also raised concerns over the response time and functioning of firefighting equipment. A local resident, Raghunandan Sharma, alleged that there were delays in the arrival of fire services and that some equipment, including ladders and hydraulic systems, did not function properly during the rescue efforts.
The building reportedly housed around 10 to 15 residents at the time of the incident. Authorities have launched a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess any lapses in safety measures or emergency response.
The tragedy has once again highlighted concerns around fire safety in residential buildings and the need for stricter enforcement of safety norms in densely populated urban areas.
