A major fire broke out in a multi-storey building located in the high-security area near Rashtrapati Bhawan on Monday, sending plumes of smoke visible across central Delhi and triggering a massive emergency response.
The blaze erupted around 4:30 PM at the Dr. B.D. Marg building, just stone's throw away from the President's official residence, creating panic in the strategically important zone. Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick, black smoke billowing from the structure as flames engulfed portions of the building.
Emergency Response in High-Gear
Delhi Fire Service immediately deployed multiple fire tenders to the scene, with at least eight firefighting vehicles rushing to contain the rapidly spreading flames. Firefighters faced challenging conditions as they worked to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent structures in the densely populated area.
"Our teams responded within minutes of receiving the alert," said a senior fire department official. "The proximity to Rashtrapati Bhawan made this a top-priority incident, and we've thrown all necessary resources at it."
Evacuation and Safety Measures
Local police quickly cordoned off the area and initiated evacuation procedures for nearby buildings as a precautionary measure. Traffic was diverted from Dr. B.D. Marg and surrounding streets, causing significant disruptions during evening rush hour.
Authorities confirmed that all occupants of the affected building were safely evacuated, with preliminary reports indicating no casualties. "Our first priority was ensuring everyone's safety, and we're relieved to report no injuries so far," stated a police official at the scene.
Investigation Underway
While the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, initial speculation points toward possible electrical short-circuit as the potential trigger. Fire department investigators have begun their probe into the incident, with a detailed report expected in the coming days.
The incident has raised serious questions about fire safety compliance in buildings located within Delhi's most sensitive zones. This marks another significant fire incident in the national capital, coming just months after several other major fire outbreaks across the city.
As firefighting operations continued into the evening, authorities assured the public that the situation was under control and that necessary precautions were being taken to prevent any collateral damage to the surrounding high-security installations.
