Extremely distressing: PM Modi reacts to Delhi fire tragedy, announces relief for victims

“The loss of lives due to a fire mishap in Delhi’s Shahdara district is extremely distressing. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Modi said in a statement posted on the official PMO India X account.

The Prime Minister also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased, while the injured will receive Rs 50,000.

Nine Dead in Early Morning Blaze

At least nine people were killed and two others injured after a massive fire broke out in a four-storey residential building in Vivek Vihar in the early hours of Sunday.

The blaze reportedly started on the second floor around 4 am and quickly spread to the upper floors, trapping residents inside as they slept.

Rescue Operations Underway

A total of 14 fire tenders were rushed to the spot and launched rescue operations. Officials said more than a dozen people were rescued from the building, while the injured were shifted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital for treatment.

According to police, it took nearly two hours to bring the fire under control, with flames finally doused around 6 am.

Visuals from the scene showed charred interiors and thick smoke billowing from the upper floors.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rajendra Prasad Meena said search operations were conducted after the fire was contained, and all recovered bodies were handed over to the crime team.

Cause of Fire Under Investigation

The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. However, local residents claimed that an air-conditioner explosion may have triggered the blaze.

“A blast in the AC triggered the fire… Around 12–15 people were rescued. However, 4–5 people are still missing,” one resident told ANI.

Another resident said two families may have remained trapped during the rescue operation, while firefighters evacuated nearly 20 people through balconies.