Nine people died after a fire broke out inside a residential building in Delhi’s Shahdara area early Sunday morning, police said, adding that more than a dozen people were rescued.
The accident occurred in Vivek Vihar area. A call about the fire was made at 3:48 a.m., according to police.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdhara) Rajendra Prasad Meena said: “On reaching the spot, a fire broke out in the apartments located on the second, third and fourth floors of the building. Firefighting operations rescued 10 to 15 people from the building. Two of them sustained minor injuries. They were shifted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital for treatment.”
Police officers said their staff, along with the Station House Officer (SHO) and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), went to the spot. Twelve fire engines were present at the scene along with District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) staff, traffic officials and local police.
A police officer said that the fire broke out on the second or third floor of the building, and the fire quickly spread to the fourth floor, engulfing all the apartments. Firefighters recovered nine bodies after putting out the fire.
“Further investigation and action are underway at the scene,” DCP Meena said.
DCP Meena added that the firefighting operation lasted more than five hours because many residents were trapped, and the design of the building, with apartments at the back and front, made access to all areas difficult.
