Deadly Fire at Residential Building in Shahdara, Delhi Claims 9 Lives
April 20, Kathmandu — A devastating fire broke out late Saturday night in a four-story residential building located in Vivek Vihar, Shahdara district of India’s capital, New Delhi, resulting in the death of nine people. Authorities reported that the fatalities were caused by severe burns and asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation. According to the fire department, 15 individuals were safely rescued from the blaze. Fifteen fire trucks responded to the scene, managing to control the fire after nearly three hours of operations.
Preliminary police investigations revealed that the bodies were found across different floors: five on the second floor, one on the third floor, and three near the rooftop on the fourth floor. Some residents of the fourth floor had tried to escape to the roof for safety, but due to the rooftop door being locked, they were unable to exit and succumbed to smoke inhalation. Deputy Commissioner of Police for Shahdara district, Rajendra Prasad Meena, stated that the fire alert was received early in the morning and rescue and containment efforts commenced immediately.
According to Meena, nine bodies have been recovered so far, with search and rescue operations still ongoing. The Vivek Vihar Police Station received the fire alert via PCR call at approximately 3:48 a.m. The Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), and other teams promptly arrived at the site. Firefighters, crime investigation units, and other emergency personnel were deployed. The fire department noted that the blaze spread mainly through flats on the third and fourth floors. During rescue efforts, between 10 and 15 people were evacuated from the building. Two of the rescued individuals sustained minor injuries and are currently receiving treatment at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital.
Preliminary Cause: Initial investigations suggest that an electrical short circuit might have triggered the fire, though authorities continue to probe for a definitive cause. Local administration, traffic police, and DDMA teams were also dispatched to the site. Security measures have been tightened across the area following the incident.