A couple and their two-year-old child were killed in a fire that started in a pile of plastic scrap and engulfed their shack on a 400-square-yard plot of land near a factory in Delhi’s Rohini. Police said the fire broke out on Tuesday and Wednesday night.
Police said they were checking whether the factory had dumped plastic waste and caused the fire. They identified the deceased as Musibur Dastgir, 23 years old, Manara Sheikh, 19 years old, and Maimunah Sheikh, 2 years old. The family had locked their home from the inside and were unable to find the key to open the door in time, according to fire officials and family members.
Police said the fire broke out at around 12.45 am, and four huts where rag pickers lived near Mang Ram Park in Budh Vihar caught fire. The fire was brought under control around 1:30-2 a.m., after which the bodies of the deceased were recovered. Shashank Jaiswal, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rohini), said, “A forensic team has been called to inspect the site. The exact cause of the fire is being ascertained. However, a case has been registered.”
Delhi Fire Services said it was informed of the fire at 1.25 am.
“We sent seven fire engines to the spot. The narrow lanes near the park prevented large fire engines from reaching the spot on time. There was a delay of 15-20 minutes. The fire spread quickly due to scrap materials. All others were rescued, but the family was trapped due to the lock. Water tankers installed on nearby buildings were also damaged due to high heat and fire. Electrical wires were also melted,” a department fire officer said.
Eyewitnesses said that the fire spread within minutes due to the scrap, and residents had only seconds to escape. The deceased family came from South 24 Parganas in West Bengal about four years ago and were planning to visit home in two days to cast their votes in the state elections and also attend a family function.
“We all live near Budh Vihar, but Mosibur moved to the empty plot of land two months ago due to lack of electricity and water,” said Amin Shaikh, Mosipur’s cousin. “We spoke to his neighbors who told us that Mosipur tried to throw his daughter to save her, but they could not get out in time.”
The family said that Mosibor usually locks his house from the inside with a large steel lock, due to the thefts that are reported in the area. Amin also claimed that the fire may have been started by residents due to rivalry.
Muhammad Islam, a neighbour, said: “He used to lock his house when they slept. They woke up and tried to open the door but it was too late. They couldn’t find the key.”
Police said they were investigating allegations of a crime.
Manara’s mother, Rachida, said: “There is a family event in our village this month and we were all excited to go. Now, everything is gone. The police should check if anyone did it intentionally; how could a fire break out on its own in an empty plot of land?”
