In a shocking incident that took place on Wednesday morning, nine members of a family were killed after a massive fire broke out in a multi-story residential building in southwest Delhi. According to reports, nearly 30 fire tenders were rushed to the spot near Shri Ram Chowk, located close to the Palam Metro station. In a desperate attempt to escape the flames, three others were injured, two of whom jumped from the building.
About the family
The deceased include family head Rajendra's wife, Lado (70), her first and third sons, identified as Kamal (39) & Parvesh (33), and their daughter, Himanshi (22). Others who lost their lives in the fire are Kamal (39), his wife, Ashu (35), and three minor daughters, and the fourth son, Anil's, wife and daughter, Deepika (28).
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The five-storey residential building had a clothes and cosmetics showroom located on the ground and first floors. Meanwhile, the showroom owner, Rajender Kashyap, lived on the second and third floors. Three people trapped in the massive fire are 32-year-old Anil, 29-year-old Sachin, and two-year-old Mitali, who sustained injuries while jumping off the building.
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What exactly happened?
The blaze started in the building and quickly spread to the other floors, blocking the only exit. Some residents jumped from upper floors to escape, while others remained trapped due to heavy flames and smoke.
Visuals from the spot
The injured are currently receiving medical treatment for 25 per cent burn injuries at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital. Visuals from the spot showed thick black plumes of smoke rising from the building engulfed in flames in the congested market area.
CM Rekha Gupta calls incident "unfortunate"
In a post on X, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed grief over the loss of lives in the Palam building fire. "Extremely distressed to learn about the unfortunate fire incident at a multi-story residential building at Palam. As per the information received, 6 feared dead, few people still trapped inside the building. District Administration, Delhi Fire Service Department & Delhi Police are leading rescue operation. Magisterial enquiry has been ordered to investigate the incident. Praying for everyone's safety!" she wrote.