At least nine people lost their lives after a massive fire broke out in a residential building in the Vivek Vihar area of East Delhi early Sunday morning, police officials confirmed.
The incident occurred in Vivek Vihar under the Shahdara district. According to authorities, a distress call was received around 3:47–3:48 am, prompting an immediate response from the Delhi Fire Services.
A total of 14 fire tenders were deployed to the site, and firefighting operations continued for several hours. Officials said the blaze, which reportedly started from domestic items, quickly spread across multiple flats in the building.
Firefighters managed to rescue around 12 to 15 residents from the premises. Some of the rescued individuals sustained minor injuries and were shifted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital for treatment.
Tragically, nine charred bodies were recovered after the fire was brought under control. According to fire officials, one body was found on the first floor, five on the second floor, and three on the staircase, indicating that several victims were trapped while attempting to escape.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajendra Prasad Meena stated that the fire had engulfed flats on multiple floors, including the second, third, and fourth levels. He added that the rescue operation was particularly challenging due to the building’s layout, which made access difficult in certain sections.
Emergency teams, including police personnel, the District Disaster Management Authority, and traffic officials, were deployed at the scene to assist in rescue and relief efforts.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire. Further enquiries are ongoing.
