New Delhi : A locked door leading to the terrace trapped a family inside a burning building in east Delhi’s Vivek Vihar, resulting in the deaths of nine people. The fire broke out around 3.30–4 am when most residents were asleep, leaving little time to react as flames spread rapidly through the structure.
According to police, a toddler also died in the fire incident that took place at a residential building in Shahdara. Police said more than a dozen residents were rescued during the operation.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Rajendra Prasad Meena said 10 to 15 people were rescued, while two to three injured persons were sent to hospital. He confirmed that nine people died and that a search operation was still underway.
How The Building Plan Became Death Trap?
According to initial findings, the building had only one staircase and no emergency exit, leaving no other option for the residents to come out of the building.
Also, the staircase leading to the terrace — a possible escape route — was locked, while iron grills on windows further restricted movement. Residents said those trapped on upper floors were unable to reach the roof or exit the building, as the fire quickly engulfed the premises.
Fire officials said several people were rescued, but blocked exits made evacuation difficult and delayed rescue efforts. At least nine people died in the incident, which occurred in a four-storey residential building in Vivek Vihar.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault or an air-conditioner blast, though the exact cause is still under investigation.
Authorities said the incident has raised concerns over safety lapses in residential buildings, including locked exits and lack of fire escape routes.
