A devastating fire in a four-storey building in Delhi's Vivek Vihar turned into a death trap early Sunday morning, claiming nine lives. The blaze, which started around 3:48 am, was fueled by protective iron grills on one side and a locked terrace that cut off the only escape route.
How the Fire Spread
According to police, the fire originated on the second floor due to a short circuit and quickly spread to the upper levels, engulfing flats on the second, third, and fourth floors. Most residents were asleep at the time, making evacuation extremely difficult.
An official stated, "This is a very sad incident. The building is located in Block B of Vivek Vihar and contains eight flats. Because of a short circuit at around 3:45 am, the fire started and spread to all four floors. Some people were unable to open the lock, leading to their deaths. Bodies are being taken to GTB Hospital's mortuary for identification."
Rescue Challenges
Fire officials reported that structural barriers significantly hindered rescue operations. "Rescue operations faced difficulties as it was dark early in the morning. When our team arrived, we discovered a four-story building with protective grills on the front facade, which made it hard to gain entry and evacuate occupants," an official explained.
Fourteen fire engines were dispatched to the scene, along with police and disaster management teams. While 15 people were rescued, nine others could not be saved. The victims' bodies have been moved to the mortuary for identification, and authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.
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