Massive fire engulfs 500 shanties; 1 died

One person was killed and another sustained injuries after a fire broke out in a hut near north-west Delhi’s Rithala metro station on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, engulfing the area and reducing at least 500 shanties to ashes. The deceased was identified as Munna, 30. The injured, Rajesh, 30, was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said.

According to the police, the fire broke out at 10.56 p.m. on Friday and escalated after triggering the explosion of several LPG cylinders. “This caused panic among the residents as they scrambled to salvage their belongings and move to safer places,” said a DFS official, adding that around 500 huts were gutted.

He added, “Ten fire tenders were first sent to the spot, following which 15 more were dispatched.”

A police officer said that a case under BNS Sections 287 (negligent or rash conduct involving combustible materials), 125(A) (endangering life or personal safety of others), and 106 (causing death by negligence) was registered, and further investigation is under way. Forensic and crime teams have also been roped into the investigation, added the officer.

Spread like wildfire

According to an eyewitness, the fire first started in one hut and then, due to the proximity of houses, it spread quickly, prompting cylinders to be blasted in the other huts.

“The residents were trying to save their belongings, so the police sealed the area to prevent further damage,” he said.

Police cordoned off the area, and additional fire tenders were kept on standby to prevent the fire from spreading further. The fire was doused after six hours, a DFS official said.