Three killed after massive fire erupts in Delhi’s Tughlakabad
Three dead, two critical after Delhi fire tragedy
New Delhi — A devastating fire tore through a five-storey residential building in Delhi’s Tughlakabad Extension, Govindpuri, in the early hours of Friday, June 12, leaving at least three people dead and two others in critical condition. The blaze, which began around 2:24 a.m., sparked a massive emergency response as smoke billowed through the narrow street, trapping residents inside.
Local police arrived immediately at the scene and were swiftly joined by senior officials, including the Station House Officer (SHO), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Additional Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), and the DCP of the South East district. Rescue operations for trapped residents were launched without delay. Four fire tenders and CATS ambulances soon arrived to support the effort, forming a coordinated response to the growing crisis.
In a tense and difficult operation, eight residents trapped by thick, heavy smoke were successfully evacuated and rushed to Safdarjung Hospital and the AIIMS Trauma Centre for urgent medical treatment. Three casualties have been officially confirmed: a 22-year-old man and two women. Two other victims remain in critical condition, with doctors working tirelessly to stabilize them.
Initial inquiries point to an electrical short circuit on the ground floor as the likely trigger for the fire. The blaze spread rapidly, engulfing seven parked two-wheelers, including an electric scooter that was being charged at the time. However, officials emphasized that the actual cause will only be confirmed after a detailed inquiry and thorough investigation by fire and forensic teams.
Delhi Fire Services (DFS) Assistant Divisional Officer (ADO) Yashwant Singh Meena explained that the building, which comprises a ground floor and five upper floors, is located in a narrow street that posed significant challenges for rescue and firefighting operations. The tight space limited maneuverability for fire tenders and made it harder to reach trapped residents quickly.
In response to the emergency, the fire department dispatched three water tenders, two water bowsers, one breathing support unit, and one Quick Response Vehicle. An additional water tender and light fire unit were later sent to the spot following several distress calls from residents inside the building.
An eyewitness who spoke to IANS described the chaotic scene: “The fire broke out at around 2:10 a.m. We came to know about it at around 2:20 a.m., by which time it had spread significantly. I used my daughter’s phone to call the fire brigade. After that, the fire brigade arrived and brought the situation under control.”
The incident has shaken the local community, with neighbors gathering outside the building as rescue teams worked through the night. Many residents expressed fear over how quickly the fire spread and how difficult it was to escape due to the smoke and narrow exits.
Local authorities have announced that a full investigation will be launched to determine the exact cause of the fire and to assess whether safety regulations were followed in the building. Officials also promised to review electrical safety standards in similar residential structures across the district to prevent future incidents.
The tragedy underscores the urgent need for better fire safety measures in densely populated urban areas of Delhi, where narrow streets and aging infrastructure often complicate emergency responses. As the city mourns the loss of three lives, families of the victims and survivors are left grappling with the aftermath of a disaster that happened in the blink of an eye.