At least nine people, including a toddler, were killed after a massive fire broke out at a building in Delhi’s Vivek Vihar area, with investigators suspecting that an air-conditioner (AC) blast may have triggered the blaze. The incident occurred in a densely populated locality, prompting an urgent emergency response from fire and police services.

According to preliminary information from officials, the fire spread rapidly through the structure, trapping residents inside before they could escape. Firefighters were deployed immediately after the alarm was raised, but the intensity of the flames and smoke made rescue operations extremely difficult. Multiple fire tenders were pressed into service to contain the blaze.

Authorities have stated that while the exact cause is still under investigation, early indications point to a possible AC unit malfunction or explosion as the source of ignition. Forensic teams are examining electrical systems and structural damage to determine how the fire escalated so quickly within the building.

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Emergency personnel rescued several injured individuals and transported them to nearby hospitals for treatment. However, officials confirmed that at least nine people had died, with a toddler among the victims. Search operations continued for hours after the fire was brought under partial control, as rescuers checked for anyone still trapped inside.

The incident has once again raised concerns about fire safety standards in residential and mixed-use buildings in the capital. Experts have long warned that overloaded electrical systems, lack of proper maintenance, and inadequate fire exits contribute significantly to the severity of such incidents in urban areas like Vivek Vihar.

As investigations continue, authorities have cordoned off the site and are expected to conduct a detailed technical assessment of the building’s infrastructure. Officials have also urged residents in similar structures to ensure regular maintenance of electrical appliances and adherence to fire safety norms to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

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