Delhi: A devastating fire swept through a four-storey residential building in Vivek Vihar in the early hours of Saturday, leaving at least nine people dead and several others injured, according to officials.
The incident occurred in the Shahdara area when flames broke out around 3:45 am, quickly spreading across multiple floors of the building. Authorities said the fire primarily affected flats on the second, third, and fourth levels, trapping residents inside as thick smoke engulfed the structure.
Teams from the fire department, along with personnel from the Delhi Police and disaster management authorities, rushed to the site and launched a rescue operation. Around a dozen fire tenders were deployed to bring the blaze under control.
During the operation, rescue teams managed to evacuate several occupants from the building. At least two individuals with minor injuries were taken to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital for treatment.
Local MLA Sanjay Goel described the incident as deeply tragic, stating that some residents were unable to escape due to locked exits. He added that the intensity of the fire caused severe damage, making identification of some victims difficult. Authorities have shifted the bodies to the hospital mortuary, where DNA analysis may be used to establish identities.
Preliminary findings suggest that an electrical short circuit could have triggered the blaze, though other possibilities, including a malfunctioning air conditioning unit, are also being examined.
Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the fire, while officials have begun assessing safety lapses in the building.
