An early-morning fire broke out in a residential building in Shaheen Bagh on Wednesday, claiming the life of one resident, local residents said. The cause of the fire in E-Block of Shaheen Bagh is yet to be ascertained.
A resident, Shahrukh, said the fire broke out around 4.30 am in the building’s parking lot and quickly spread to the top floor, engulfing the entire structure.
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According to residents, an elderly woman, who lived on the second floor of building E-50, was unable to come out of her flat. She got trapped inside as thick smoke filled the building. The woman has been identified as Fazila Kishwar (72).
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Police said preliminary investigations suggest she died due to suffocation caused by smoke inhalation.
Police said the woman had pre-existing respiratory ailments, which may have worsened her condition due to smoke inhalation. Five residents including the elderly woman, were rescued and taken to nearby hospitals, the officer said. She died during treatment at the hospital.
Residents told the OT that police personnel assisted firefighters in evacuating residents and managing the crowd to ensure smooth access for emergency responders. Police said five residents, including the elderly woman, were rescued and taken to nearby hospitals.
Police said they received a call about the fire at 4.41 am, following which four fire tenders and four ambulances were rushed to the spot.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Hemant Tiwari said the SHO, along with police staff, reached the location immediately, while senior officers supervised the rescue and firefighting operations.
A resident involved in the rescue efforts said the smoke was so dense that it reached the fourth floor. He said residents used ladders to move children, women, and men across terraces to safer locations.
The DCP said: “The legal process is being followed, and an inquiry has been initiated to ascertain the exact cause of the fire. Officials are examining all possible factors, including an electrical short circuit or other accidental triggers.”
The fire was eventually doused by the fire brigade, but not before it caused extensive damage. The fourth floor of the building was completely gutted, while other floors also suffered damage. Several vehicles parked near the building were affected, with two cars, a motorcycle, and a scooter either completely or partially burnt.
Residents said the incident came as a shock, as no fatal fire had been reported in Okhla for many years. A few months earlier, a major blaze had gutted a showroom in Shaheen Bagh.
Javed Ali said the news left residents devastated, especially as many families were preparing to welcome the New Year. He said the tragedy should serve as a lesson for the neighbourhood, stressing the need for regular safety checks and precautions to prevent such incidents, as the loss of life leaves deep and lasting grief.
