A devastating fire swept through a four-storey residential building in East Delhi’s Vivek Vihar area in the early hours of Sunday, leaving several people dead and triggering a large-scale rescue operation. According to Delhi Police, at least nine fatalities have been reported so far, with fears that more victims could be trapped inside.
Fire Breaks Out Before Dawn
The blaze was reported in the Shahdara district around 4 am, prompting an immediate response from emergency services. Fire tenders rushed to the location and managed to contain the flames after an intense operation, but not before the fire caused significant damage, particularly on the upper floors of the building.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajendra Prasad Meena said, “Fire broke out in a house in a four-story building in Vivek Vihar, with casualties on the second floor. So far, 3-4 bodies have been found, and the search for the remaining remains is ongoing. We’re still searching. We’ll let you know once the search is complete.”
He added, “Early in the morning, we got a call about a fire. Fire tenders rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control. 3-4 bodies have been recovered from here. We’re still searching. We got the call at around 4 AM.”
Rescue Efforts Continue Amid Chaos
Rescue teams continued combing through the debris to locate those feared trapped. Local residents reported that several people were evacuated during the operation, with fire personnel using balconies and other access points to bring occupants to safety.
Some eyewitnesses suggested that the fire may have been triggered by an air conditioner malfunction, though officials have not confirmed the exact cause. Residents also indicated that a number of individuals remain unaccounted for, raising concerns about the final toll.
Massive Emergency Response
Multiple fire engines and emergency teams were deployed to control the situation. Authorities confirmed that several residents were successfully rescued, but the scale of the incident has made operations challenging.
