New Delhi, 18 March (H.S.): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the fire that broke out in a multi‑storey building in Palam, southwest Delhi, following the deaths of several people, including multiple children. The Chief Minister directed that the incident be investigated by a magistrate to ascertain the cause of the blaze and examine any lapses in safety and compliance.

In a post on the social‑media platform X, the CM said that she was “deeply distressed” to learn about the tragic fire in the multi‑storey residential building at Palam. She stated that the district administration, the Delhi Fire Service Department and the Delhi Police are actively engaged in the rescue and relief operations and that the magisterial probe has been initiated to ensure a transparent and comprehensive investigation.

According to the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), the fire started early Wednesday morning in a residential unit inside a building near the Palam Metro station, and the alert was received around 7:00 AM. Upon receiving the distress call, the DFS dispatched approximately 30 fire‑tender units to the spot, launching a large‑scale firefighting and rescue operation. Firefighters battled thick smoke and intense heat to evacuate trapped occupants while medical teams stood by to provide emergency care.

Initial official reports indicate that at least seven people, including several children, lost their lives in the incident, with the death toll expected to rise as search and verification work continues. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and a forensic and magisterial probe, as ordered by the Chief Minister, is underway to identify the trigger, safety violations, if any, and the responsibilities of the building owner and other agencies.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar