New Delhi: A fire broke out on Thursday morning at the Trade and Tax Department building in the ITO area of the national capital, triggering a swift response from emergency services. The incident comes just a day after a devastating blaze in Palam claimed multiple lives, raising fresh concerns over fire safety in the city.
According to officials, the Delhi Fire Service received a distress call at around 8:26 am reporting flames on the 12th floor of the multi-storey building. At least six fire engines were immediately dispatched to the site to contain the situation.
Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control within a short span, preventing it from spreading to other floors. Authorities confirmed that no injuries or fatalities have been reported in this incident. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and an investigation is currently underway.
The latest incident follows closely on the heels of Wednesday’s tragic fire in the Palam area, where a residential-cum-commercial building in Sadh Nagar went up in flames in the early hours. Officials suspect a short circuit may have triggered the blaze. The disaster resulted in the deaths of nine people, while several others sustained injuries.
In response to the Palam tragedy, the Delhi government announced financial assistance for the victims’ families. Compensation of ₹10 lakh has been announced for the next of kin of those who died, while ₹5 lakh will be provided in cases involving deceased children. Additionally, ₹2 lakh has been allocated for those who suffered serious injuries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced ex-gratia relief. An amount of ₹2 lakh will be given to the families of the deceased, while the injured will receive ₹50,000 from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
Emergency teams, including the fire department, police, and disaster response units, continue to monitor both situations closely. Authorities have urged building owners and residents to ensure adherence to fire safety norms as investigations into both incidents progress.
