Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday condoled the deaths in a massive fire that broke out in a commercial building in west Delhi's Mundka area, and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of those who lost their lives. The blaze, which started on the first floor of the four-storey building, spread rapidly, trapping several people. At least 27 people were killed and several others injured in the incident.
PM Modi's Response
Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, "The fire in Delhi's Mundka is heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest." He also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF). The injured would be given Rs 50,000 each.
Details of the Incident
The fire broke out around 4:30 pm on Friday in a building that housed a company manufacturing CCTV cameras and routers. The building had only one exit, and many of the victims were found on the top floor, where they had rushed to escape the flames. Firefighters rescued several people, but the narrow lanes and haphazard parking hampered rescue operations.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also visited the site and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of those killed. The Delhi government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.
Investigation and Aftermath
The police have registered a case under sections of the Indian Penal Code, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and arrested the building owner and the company's director. The fire department stated that the building lacked proper fire safety measures, and the blaze may have been caused by a short circuit.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the issue of fire safety in commercial buildings in the national capital. Several political leaders, including President Ram Nath Kovind and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, also expressed grief and called for strict action against those responsible.
