New Delhi: A catastrophic fire ripped through a densely packed cluster of temporary tin-shed accommodations housing construction labourers near Udyog Bhawan in Central Delhi during the early hours of Wednesday morning. The inferno completely gutted approximately 200 makeshift structures, triggering a high-priority response from emergency services in the highly secure Central Vista zone.
The Delhi Fire Services received an emergency distress call at 3:02 AM alerting them to a rapidly spreading blaze that reportedly originated from an electrical distribution panel situated adjacent to the transit camp. Due to the highly combustible materials, dense structural packing, and the presence of small domestic liquefied petroleum gas cylinders inside the settlement, the flames grew exponentially within minutes. While the station initially dispatched two primary water tenders, the severity of the situation necessitated an immediate upgrade, prompting the deployment of nearly 20 firefighting vehicles, including specialised water bowsers, to encircle and suppress the blaze.
First responders successfully contained the peripheral spread by 5:10 AM, bringing the situation fully under control by 5:30 AM after a grueling two-and-a-half-hour combat operation. This strategic labour colony was housing construction workforce personnel deployed for the ongoing Central Vista redevelopment project, positioned near Udyog Bhawan, which is currently undergoing systematic demolition following the dismantling of the adjacent Nirman Bhawan. Senior fire department officials confirmed that no civilian injuries or fatalities were recorded during the incident, as workers evacuated the structures promptly, though a comprehensive assessment is underway to determine the total material and financial loss.
