A minor fire broke out in a two-storey building near Gate No. 31 of Rashtrapati Bhavan in the afternoon, prompting a swift response from Delhi Fire Services (DFS) that contained the blaze without any injuries or fatalities. Reported at 1:51 p.m., the incident originated from domestic items on the ground floor, likely sparked by an electrical short circuit or unattended cooking appliances—common triggers in densely packed urban residential structures around the presidential enclave.
Five fire tenders raced to the scene from nearby stations, including the Central Delhi headquarters, arriving within minutes to douse the flames using hoses and foam extinguishers. By 2:15 p.m., the fire was fully extinguished, with firefighters ventilating smoke and cooling hotspots to prevent re-ignition. The building, housing government staff quarters in the high-security North Avenue area, was evacuated promptly, ensuring all occupants—a family of four and two domestic helpers—escaped unharmed. DFS officials commended the rapid alert via the emergency helpline 101, which underscored the effectiveness of India's urban fire response network, honed by frequent drills in the capital's heritage zones.
The quick containment averted potential escalation in a location mere steps from India's presidential residence, a sprawling 340-room complex symbolising national sovereignty since 1950. Rashtrapati Bhavan, guarded by the President's Bodyguard and ringed by multi-layered security, includes over 15 gates, with No. 31 serving as a lesser-trafficked access point near the North Block and Parliament House. Such proximity heightened vigilance, with Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel assisting in perimeter control to manage curious onlookers and traffic snarls on nearby Raisina Hill roads.
No structural damage beyond charring on the ground-floor walls was reported, and the power supply to adjacent blocks was briefly disrupted but restored within an hour by discom officials. This event highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in ageing colonial-era infrastructure surrounding Lutyens' Delhi, where outdated wiring and proximity to landmarks amplify risks—echoing a 2023 audit by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority that flagged 20% of central government residences for fire hazards.
The incident follows closely on the heels of another blaze on October 19 at a high-security apartment complex on BD Marg, home to Members of Parliament, where flames engulfed multiple floors in the luxury Salokha apartments, displacing 50 residents but causing no deaths. That fire, fuelled by flammable furnishings and delayed alarms, required 12 tenders and took over three hours to subdue, prompting a temporary lockdown and investigations into building code violations.
Both events underscore a rising trend: Delhi recorded 18,000 fire calls in 2024, up 15% from prior years, per DFS data, attributed to urban density, seasonal Diwali preparations with open flames, and climate-driven electrical surges. Authorities have since intensified awareness campaigns, mandating smoke detectors and fire drills in 5,000-plus central buildings, while the National Building Code revisions emphasise retrofitting for seismic and thermal resilience.
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As investigations proceed, with forensic teams probing the Rashtrapati Bhavan-adjacent fire for arson or negligence, the episode serves as a timely reminder of preparedness in the heart of power. President Droupadi Murmu's office issued a statement praising emergency responders, while the New Delhi Municipal Council announced Rs 50 lakh in immediate relief for affected families, including temporary relocation to guest houses.
No disruptions to official functions occurred, but the back-to-back incidents have spurred calls for a unified capital-wide fire audit, integrating AI surveillance for early detection. In a city where heritage meets modernity, such swift resolutions not only safeguard lives but also preserve the symbolic sanctity of institutions like Rashtrapati Bhavan, ensuring the flame of progress burns without consuming its foundations.
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