Nine rescued as fire engulfs parked vehicles in west Delhi building

A total of nine people were rescued after a fire broke out in the parking area of a residential building in Fateh Nagar area of west Delhi early on Tuesday, officials said.

According to police, a short circuit is likely the cause of the incident, but efforts are underway to ascertain the exact reason.

“During the rescue operation, a woman, Sakshi (40), panicked and attempted to jump from the first floor. The police staff promptly arranged mattresses, due to which she landed safely without sustaining any injury,” a senior police officer said.

An elderly couple trapped on the third floor was also rescued. The elderly woman had undergone hip replacement surgery just four days earlier and was unable to move. Despite their initial reluctance to leave the house, the police staff persuaded them to evacuate, he said.

“The woman was shifted onto a wheelchair and safely brought downstairs, along with her husband. During the incident, two LPG cylinders kept on the top floor exploded due to the fire. However, no resident sustained any injury,” the officer said.

According to the Delhi Fire Services (DFS), the blaze was reported at around 3.50 am from a house in Fateh Nagar, near Ranbir Bakery on Jail Road.

The fire spread to two parked cars, two scooters and parts of the four-storey residential building, a DFS officer said.

Two LPG cylinders exploded during the firefighting operation, but no injuries were reported. All nine occupants of the building were rescued safely, the fire personnel said.

Initially, two water tenders and one water bowser were rushed to the spot. As the intensity of the blaze increased, more vehicles were rushed to the spot.

The fire was brought under control at 6.35 am, he added.

The police said that they received a PCR call at Hari Nagar Police Station. On receipt of the information, a team immediately reached the spot. It was found that the fire had reportedly started in the parking area, likely due to a short circuit, and had spread to all four floors of the residential building.

The Fire Service also reached the spot. However, due to the narrow lanes, the fire tenders could not reach the building. The staff, with the assistance of the Fire Service, immediately launched a rescue operation using ladders to evacuate the trapped residents.

Sub Inspector Rajender sustained an injury to his right leg while evacuating the residents. Further enquiry into the cause of the fire is being carried out, the officials said.