Delhi Slum Fire Kills One, Destroys Hundreds of Makeshift Homes

A devastating fire erupted late Friday night near Rithala metro station in Delhi’s Rohini Sector-5, engulfing approximately 500 shanties in a relentless inferno that claimed one life and left another resident critically injured. The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) reported that the blaze, originating around 11 pm adjacent to Delhi Jal Board staff quarters, was exacerbated by multiple LPG cylinder explosions, sending shockwaves through the densely packed slum cluster and forcing frantic evacuations under billowing clouds of toxic smoke.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as flames leaped from hut to hut, fueled by flammable materials common in makeshift dwellings, while desperate families clutched whatever possessions they could salvage before fleeing to safety. The victim, identified as local resident Munna, tragically succumbed to the flames, while 30-year-old Rajesh sustained severe burn injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. The explosions not only accelerated the fire’s spread but also heightened panic, with residents scrambling amid deafening blasts and crumbling structures.

Upon receiving the alert, DFS mobilized an extensive response, deploying numerous fire tenders along with specialized firefighting robots to navigate the narrow, congested lanes inaccessible to standard vehicles. Police swiftly cordoned off the perimeter to facilitate operations and prevent further casualties, positioning additional units on standby to contain any potential escalation toward nearby residential or commercial areas. The coordinated effort underscored the challenges of combating urban fires in vulnerable informal settlements.

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By early Saturday morning, firefighters had managed to bring the blaze under control after hours of intense battle, though smoldering remnants continued to emit haze over the devastated site. Authorities have launched an inquiry to determine the fire’s origin, with preliminary assessments pointing to possible electrical faults or mishandling of cooking gas as likely triggers. Relief operations are underway to support displaced families, many of whom have lost everything in the catastrophe.

This incident highlights the persistent fire hazards in Delhi’s sprawling jhuggi clusters, where overcrowding, substandard wiring, and widespread LPG usage create a perfect storm for disasters. As investigations proceed and rehabilitation efforts begin, the tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for enhanced safety infrastructure and enforcement in the capital’s most marginalized communities.

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