A devastating fire broke out at a Delhi Police malkhana (seized vehicle yard) in Nehru Place on Thursday afternoon, destroying more than 400 vehicles, officials confirmed.
The Delhi Fire Services received a call about the blaze at approximately 2 PM. According to eyewitnesses, thick plumes of smoke were visible from a considerable distance as the flames rapidly spread across the yard, engulfing numerous vehicles.
Initially, fire officials estimated that around 50 vehicles—including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and cars—had been damaged. Six fire tenders were dispatched to the scene, and it took over three hours to bring the fire under control.
However, a statement released by the Delhi Police later in the evening revealed that the scale of destruction was far greater than initially believed. “At the time of the incident, 2,667 seized vehicles were parked in the yard. Around 400 vehicles were burnt to ashes. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined,” the statement read.
Police have registered an FIR and are investigating the possibility of foul play. Officials from the Delhi Traffic Police headquarters visited the site to assess the damage.
The yard, which belongs to the Delhi Police, housed a large number of two- and four-wheelers, including vehicles involved in accidents and those seized for traffic violations.
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A senior police officer stated that no compensation would be offered by the police, advising vehicle owners to claim insurance instead.
(With inputs from PTI)
