Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): A late-night fire in northwest Delhi turned fatal after three members of a family, including a young child, lost their lives when flames tore through a cluster of shanties inside a warehouse compound in Rohini.
The incident took place in the Mangeraam Park area, where temporary shelters had been erected within a plot used for storing scrap and plastic waste. Officials said the fire broke out shortly after midnight and spread rapidly due to highly flammable materials present at the site.
Firefighters rushed to the location with multiple tenders and managed to contain the blaze after a prolonged operation. However, by the time the flames were brought under control, several huts had been completely destroyed.
Rescue teams later recovered three bodies from the debris. Authorities confirmed that no other injuries were reported, but the loss of lives has raised serious concerns about safety conditions in such informal settlements.
Fire personnel noted that restricted access to the site slowed down response efforts, as narrow lanes prevented larger vehicles from reaching the core of the affected area quickly.
Police and forensic teams have begun an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Preliminary assessments suggest that the presence of plastic and other combustible materials may have accelerated the spread.
In a separate development, another fire incident was reported near the Rajghat Bus Depot earlier in the day, where dry bushes caught fire. Emergency crews responded promptly and prevented the flames from escalating. No casualties were reported in that case.
Authorities have reiterated the need for stricter monitoring of fire safety norms, especially in areas where residential structures exist alongside storage of hazardous materials.
