Fire Tragedy Claims Three Lives in Delhi Slum; Survivor Shares Gripping Escape Story
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Synopsis
A devastating fire in a slum in Anand Vihar, Delhi, has claimed the lives of three laborers. The sole survivor, Nitin Singh, recounts his narrow escape, as investigations continue into the cause of the fire, which may have been ignited by a diesel lamp.
Key Takeaways
- Three fatalities occurred due to a fire in Anand Vihar.
- One survivor, Nitin Singh, escaped and shared his experience.
- The fire may have been triggered by a diesel lamp.
- Forensic teams are investigating the incident's cause.
- Bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem.
New Delhi, March 11 (NationPress) Three individuals tragically lost their lives in a slum fire that erupted in Delhi's Anand Vihar during the early hours of Tuesday, according to police reports.
The blaze broke out around 2 am in a slum located on a DDA plot near Manglam Road in Anand Vihar, where four laborers affiliated with the IGL company resided, as stated by police.
The flames consumed the entire tent, reducing it to mere ashes. Forensic teams are presently investigating the scene to ascertain the precise cause of the fire.
Among the four residents, only one laborer, Nitin Singh, was able to escape. He initially thought his coworkers had also managed to flee. Unfortunately, the other three -- Jaggi, Shyam Singh, and Kanta Prasad -- were unable to escape in time and perished.
Nitin mentioned that the group stored a diesel container on a cooler stand, which they used to light a lamp within their tent. They also secured the temporary gate of the tent from the inside each night for safety.
A gas cylinder reportedly exploded during the fire, exacerbating the inferno. Fire tenders were summoned and succeeded in extinguishing the flames. The area was later examined by the fire brigade, crime team, and forensic specialists.
The remains of the deceased have been transferred to the mortuary for post-mortem analysis.
Police have taken statements from survivor Nitin Singh, fellow laborer Jeetender, and Rampal, the father of the deceased siblings Kanta Prasad and Shyam Singh.
Nitin, who suffered minor burns and injuries on his leg while escaping by scaling a wall, recounted the harrowing experience.
"I was present when the fire ignited. Around 2:00 to 2:15 am, Shyam Singh woke me by hitting me to alert me about the fire. Shyam Singh was attempting to unlock the door with a key. I believed the others had already fled, so I managed to climb down the wall and escape," Nitin told IANS.
Dilip, the employer of the deceased, informed IANS, "I kept trying to reach them by phone all night after I learned about the fire. We were unaware that they had died. We assumed they had escaped. After the fire tenders controlled the blaze, we discovered the bodies of all the boys."
"Jaggi had been working with us for the last ten years, while brothers Shyam Singh and Kanta Prasad would come and go every few months," he added.
Police suspect that the diesel lamp may have sparked the fire but are exploring other potential causes as well.
Further updates are pending.
