Palam Fire Tragedy: Death Toll Climbs to 9, Rekha Gupta Orders Probe

New Delhi — The death toll in the devastating fire incident in Delhi’s Palam area has risen to nine, with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta ordering a magisterial inquiry into the tragedy.

The blaze broke out early Wednesday morning in a multi-storey residential building at Ram Market in Palam, where a cloth and cosmetic showroom operated on the lower floors, while the owner’s family lived above. Police received information around 7:04 a.m., prompting immediate response from local authorities.

According to officials, the fire engulfed the basement, ground floor, and first floor of the building, trapping several occupants inside. Rescue teams rushed to the spot and launched evacuation efforts, shifting victims to nearby hospitals.

Tragically, multiple casualties were reported across medical facilities. At Manipal Hospital, eight people — including men, women, and three minor girls — were declared dead. Another woman was brought dead to IGI Hospital, while others, including a young child and an adult male, are undergoing treatment. A man with burn injuries is also being treated at Safdarjung Hospital.

Expressing grief over the incident, the Chief Minister said she was “extremely distressed” and confirmed that the district administration, along with the Delhi Fire Service and Delhi Police, led the rescue operations.

A large-scale emergency response was mounted, with around 20 fire tenders and 11 ambulances deployed. Teams from BSES, Air Force Police, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also assisted in firefighting and rescue efforts.

The fire has now been brought under control after intense operations. A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has been called in to examine the site and determine the cause of the blaze.

Authorities have begun a detailed investigation, while rescue and relief efforts continue.

With inputs from IANS