Tragedy at Karol Bagh: Shopper Suffocates in Lift During Vishal Mega Mart Blaze
Vishal Mega Mart Blaze: Shopper Suffocates in Lift
A devastating fire at a Vishal Mega Mart in Karol Bagh claimed the life of a 25-year-old shopper, Kumar Dhirender Pratap, who suffocated inside a lift, police confirmed on Saturday.
The blaze erupted on the second floor of the four-storey building on Padam Singh Road at 6:44 PM on Friday. Trapped in the lift, Dhirender sent desperate messages to his elder brother at 6:51 PM, writing, “Bhaiya, hum lift mein hoon. Gas gaye hain. Karol Bagh Mega Mart,” followed by, “Ab saans phool raha. Kuchh karo” (I’m in the lift. There’s gas. I’m short of breath. Do something). No further messages were received.
A joint rescue operation by Delhi Police, fire department, and disaster response teams discovered Dhirender’s body in the lift. He was rushed to RML Hospital but was declared dead on arrival, likely due to suffocation.
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The fire, confined mainly to the second floor of the store selling groceries and fabrics, required 13 fire tenders and 90 firefighters to control. Poor ventilation in the building prolonged the operation, with cooling efforts continuing late into the night. Authorities suspect a short circuit as the cause, though investigations are ongoing. An FIR has been filed at Karol Bagh Police Station.
The incident has raised concerns about fire safety and emergency preparedness in commercial buildings, with police and fire officials continuing to probe the tragedy.
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