Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, May 3: A devastating fire broke out in a four-storey residential building in Vivek Vihar early Sunday morning, leaving nine people dead and several others injured, officials said.
According to police, the blaze started around 4 a.m. on the second floor of the building at B-13, Vivek Vihar Phase I, and spread rapidly to other floors, trapping residents inside. Seven injured individuals are currently undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital.
Residents described the incident as terrifying, saying the fire spread so quickly that occupants had no time to escape. “It is suspected to be a short circuit, but the investigation is ongoing. The fire was massive and took nearly two hours to control,” said a local resident.
A total of 14 fire tenders were rushed to the spot, and more than 10–15 people were rescued during the operation. However, officials confirmed that nine people lost their lives in the blaze.
Shahdara MLA Sanjay Goyal visited the site and expressed grief over the tragedy, noting that the fire spread between floors, making escape impossible for many residents.
Local councillor Pankaj Luthra said the victims’ bodies were severely charred and unidentifiable due to the intensity of the fire. He added that multiple bodies were recovered from different floors, including the second, third, and top levels of the building.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Rajendra Prasad Meena confirmed that emergency teams responded immediately after receiving the call. “It took about two hours to bring the fire under control. After that, search operations were carried out, and six to seven injured persons were shifted to hospital,” he said.
Police and fire department officials, along with forensic teams, continue to investigate the cause of the blaze. Preliminary findings suggest the fire may have originated on the second floor, but the exact reason remains under inquiry.
Authorities have stated that rescue and search operations are still ongoing, and further details will be released after the investigation progresses.