New Delhi, 18 March (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep sorrow over the devastating fire that engulfed a multi‑storey building at Ram Chowk Market in Palam, southwest Delhi, resulting in the deaths of nine people, including three children.

In a message on the social‑media platform X, the Prime Minister condoled the loss of lives and announced financial assistance from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the victims’ families and the injured.

On the directions of the Prime Minister’s Office, Modi’s post on X described the incident in Palam as “heart‑rending” and extended heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families. He also prayed for the quick recovery of those who sustained burn injuries in the blaze.

The Prime Minister announced that the next‑of‑kin of each deceased person would receive ₹2 lakh as ex‑gratia from the PMNRF, while each injured person would be provided ₹50,000. The assistance is meant to help families cope with the sudden loss and associated medical and financial burdens.

The fire broke out around 7:00 AM on Wednesday in a multi‑storey structure inside the congested Ram Chowk Market area of Palam, near the Palam Metro station. Initial reports indicate that the blaze started in a ground‑floor cloth and cosmetic showroom inside the building and rapidly spread through the residential floors above, trapping several occupants.

Dozens of fire‑tender units and ambulances were rushed to the spot, and fire personnel eventually brought the inferno under control after several hours of intensive operations.

So far, nine people have been reported dead, including three minors, while several others have been injured and taken to nearby hospitals. Rescue and relief operations continued through the day, and the exact cause of the fire is yet to be established; a forensic and magisterial probe has been ordered to examine the incident in detail.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar