NEW DELHI, 12 June (HS) : A fire that broke out late Thursday night in a five-storey residential building in the Govindpuri area of South-East Delhi claimed the lives of three people, while five others were rescued safely from the smoke-filled structure. Two other victims remain in critical condition and are undergoing treatment in hospital.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South-East) Dr. Hemant Tiwari said on Friday that Govindpuri Police Station received information at around 2:24 a.m. on the intervening night of June 11 and 12 regarding a fire in a building located in Tughlakabad Extension.

Acting swiftly, local police teams, led by the Station House Officer, rushed to the spot. Four fire tenders from the Delhi Fire Services and CATS ambulances were also deployed to the scene. The blaze quickly filled the building with dense smoke, trapping several residents inside.

Police personnel, firefighters and rescue teams launched a coordinated operation and successfully evacuated eight people from the smoke-filled building. The injured were shifted to Safdarjung Hospital and the AIIMS Trauma Centre for treatment.

According to police, the victims included a 22-year-old man and two women, all of whom succumbed to their injuries. Two other injured persons remain in critical condition. The incident triggered panic and chaos in the locality.

Suspected Short Circuit on Ground Floor; Seven Two-Wheelers Destroyed

Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have been caused by a short circuit on the ground floor of the building in Tughlakabad Extension, Govindpuri. However, police officials said the exact cause of the blaze will be determined only after a detailed investigation.

According to initial findings, the fire originated due to an electrical short circuit and rapidly spread to seven two-wheelers parked on the ground floor. One of the affected vehicles was an electric scooter that was reportedly connected to a charging point at the time.

As the vehicles caught fire, thick smoke engulfed the building, trapping residents on the upper floors. Firefighters and police teams eventually brought the blaze under control and carried out rescue operations.

Officials said forensic and technical examinations are underway to establish the precise cause of the incident. Police are also investigating whether the building complied with safety regulations, electrical standards and other mandatory requirements.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar