Delhi Fire Tragedy: 9 Dead in Vivek Vihar Blaze, Residents Recall No Chance to Escape

New Delhi — A devastating fire in a four-storey residential building in Vivek Vihar claimed nine lives early Sunday morning, leaving the neighbourhood in shock as survivors and witnesses recounted the terrifying moments.

According to officials, the blaze erupted around 4 a.m. on the second floor, quickly spreading through the building and trapping residents inside. The intensity of the fire meant many had little to no time to react or escape.

Fire services rushed 14 engines to the scene, and it took nearly two hours to bring the flames under control. During the operation, more than 10 people were rescued, while at least seven injured individuals are currently undergoing treatment at nearby hospitals, including Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital.

Local residents described the scale of the tragedy as overwhelming. One neighbour said the fire spread so rapidly from the second floor that those inside were unable to flee. The cause is suspected to be a short circuit, though authorities have not confirmed this and investigations are ongoing.

Sanjay Goyal visited the site and expressed grief over the loss of lives, noting that the fire engulfed multiple floors within a short span, making escape nearly impossible for occupants.

Municipal councillor Pankaj Luthra said several bodies were found in severely charred conditions, making identification extremely difficult. Most victims were discovered on the second and upper floors, where the fire had spread most intensely.

Police and fire officials, along with forensic teams, reached the site at B-13, Vivek Vihar Phase I soon after receiving the alert. Rajendra Prasad Meena confirmed that rescue teams acted swiftly, evacuating trapped residents and transporting the injured for urgent medical care.

Authorities stated that search and rescue operations are still underway, and a detailed investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the fire.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about fire safety in residential buildings, especially in densely populated urban areas.

With inputs from IANS