NEW DELHI: A devastating fire in southeast Delhi’s Govindpuri area early Friday morning claimed the lives of three people, including two women, while several others were injured after a blaze engulfed a multi-storey residential building, officials said.
According to Delhi Police, a PCR call reporting the fire was received at around 2:24 am from a five-storey residential building located in Tughlakabad Extension in the Govindpuri locality. Police teams immediately rushed to the scene and launched rescue efforts for residents trapped inside the smoke-filled structure.
Firefighters and emergency responders joined the operation soon after. Four fire tenders and ambulances were initially deployed, while additional fire units were later pressed into service to tackle the blaze. Authorities said thick smoke had spread rapidly through the building, making evacuation efforts difficult.
A total of eight residents trapped inside were rescued and shifted to Safdarjung Hospital and the AIIMS Trauma Centre for treatment. Among them, one man and two women succumbed to their injuries. Two other victims remain in critical condition, while the condition of the remaining injured persons is being monitored.
Officials from the Delhi Fire Services said seven fire tenders were eventually deployed to control the fire. After nearly two hours of firefighting operations, the blaze was brought under control at around 4 am.
Preliminary findings indicate that the fire originated in the parking area on the ground floor of the building. Several vehicles parked there, including three scooters, two motorcycles and a bicycle, were engulfed in flames. The fire quickly spread upward, sending dense smoke through the residential floors and trapping occupants inside.
The ground, first and second floors suffered extensive damage and were completely gutted by the fire. The upper floors also sustained partial damage due to heat and smoke.
During the rescue operation, Delhi Fire Services personnel climbed to the terrace and gained entry after cutting open a locked terrace gate. Two girls who had taken shelter on the rooftop to escape the smoke were safely rescued and transported to a hospital for medical attention.
Initial investigations suggest that an electrical short circuit on the ground floor may have triggered the blaze. Officials said the fire rapidly spread after catching several parked two-wheelers, including an electric scooter that was reportedly connected to a charging point at the time.
Police officials described the short circuit as the likely cause of the incident but emphasized that a detailed inquiry is underway to establish the exact sequence of events.
“This appears to be the probable cause. The exact reason will be determined after a detailed inquiry and investigation,” police said.
The incident has once again raised concerns about fire safety measures in residential buildings, particularly in densely populated areas of the national capital. Authorities are expected to examine whether adequate safety provisions and emergency response mechanisms were in place at the building.
The tragedy comes less than two weeks after another major fire incident in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area, where a blaze at a restaurant resulted in the deaths of at least 21 people, including foreign nationals, highlighting growing concerns over fire hazards in the city.
Officials said further investigations are ongoing, and a detailed report on the Govindpuri fire will be prepared after forensic and technical examinations are completed.
