Major Fire Ravages Shanties in Southwest Delhi's Uttam Nagar
A significant fire erupted at the Mansa Ram Park shanty settlement located near the Matiala fish market in southwest Delhi's Uttam Nagar area on Wednesday night. The blaze, which started in the late hours, continued into the early morning of Thursday, resulting in the complete destruction of several jhuggis (makeshift huts). Authorities have confirmed that fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident.
Emergency Response and Evacuation Efforts
According to police officials, a PCR call alerting about a major fire at the shanty cluster in Mansa Ram Park was received at the Bindapur police station around 11:57 PM on Wednesday. Police teams immediately rushed to the location and initiated evacuation procedures as the fire spread rapidly through the densely populated settlement. Residents were safely evacuated from their huts to prevent any loss of life.
The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) was promptly alerted, and approximately 28 fire tenders were deployed to combat the intense flames. Firefighting personnel worked tirelessly for several hours, with the operation continuing well into the night. The blaze was finally brought under control around 3:00 AM on Thursday, though not before causing substantial damage to the shanties.
History of Fires and Ongoing Issues
Police noted that this is not the first fire incident at this location. Earlier this month, on March 7, authorities had received a PCR call regarding a blaze at the same site. That fire was extinguished with the assistance of eight fire tenders, and similar to the recent incident, no injuries were reported. A case was registered at the Bindapur police station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in connection with the earlier fire.
The land where these shanties are situated is privately owned, but its ownership is currently under dispute. Police have highlighted that there have been multiple complaints in the past about illegal garbage dumping at the site, along with instances of waste being deliberately set on fire. These factors have contributed to the fire-prone nature of the area.
Administrative Actions and Investigation
A debris removal drive had been scheduled for March 7 by the Kapashera district administration but had to be postponed due to logistical challenges. The exact cause of Wednesday night's fire remains undetermined, and authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to ascertain the origin and circumstances that led to the blaze.
Key Points:
- The fire broke out late Wednesday night at Mansa Ram Park shanties in Uttam Nagar.
- 28 fire tenders were deployed, and the blaze was controlled by 3:00 AM Thursday.
- No casualties were reported; residents were safely evacuated.
- This is the second fire at the location this month, with a previous incident on March 7.
- The land ownership is disputed, and illegal garbage dumping has been a recurring issue.
- The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.
