New Delhi: In the early hours of May 17, a fire broke out in a Burari market, engulfing eight shops and trapping 11 visually impaired students. Head constable Amar Singh, a beat officer at Burari police station, displayed swift thinking and decisive action to save lives.
Race Against Time
Singh was on night patrol around 2:30 am when a local resident alerted him. Upon arrival, flames consumed the ground floor, and thick smoke prevented entry. As the fire spread upward, a couple remained trapped on an upper floor with the staircase inaccessible.
Singh first cleared bystanders and stopped a passing truck. Climbing onto its roof, he positioned himself below the balcony where the stranded couple awaited rescue.
“Due to thick smoke, there was almost no visibility inside the building, and the room was close to collapsing. Despite the flames, Singh carried the man and woman out one by one on his shoulders and lowered them safely onto the truck,” said DCP (North) Raja Banthia.
Rescue of Visually Impaired Students
Soon after, Singh learned that 11 visually impaired students were trapped in the neighboring building. Despite struggling to breathe from smoke inhalation, he guided them through a dark, smoke-filled staircase and brought them all to safety.
Ravi Yadav, a tuition teacher rescued with his wife, said, “We were on the second floor when the fire broke out. The beat officer reached in time and saved us. After that, he went to the adjoining building to help visually impaired students trapped there.”
The incident highlights the bravery and quick action of Delhi Police personnel in critical situations.
