South Delhi restaurant fire: Elderly woman rescued near Kalkaji flyover
Synopsis
Nine fire tenders, three LPG cylinder explosions, and a race against time to pull a 70-year-old woman from a burning second floor — a pre-dawn blaze at a South Delhi restaurant tested the Delhi Fire Services and underscored persistent fire safety risks in the capital's mixed-use commercial buildings.
Key Takeaways
A fire broke out at Panjabi Tadka restaurant near the Kalkaji-Govind Puri flyover , South Delhi, at around 4:45 a.m. on 14 June .
Nine fire tenders were deployed after a 'Make-4' escalation at 5:05 a.m.
Three commercial LPG cylinders exploded during the blaze, intensifying the fire.
Elderly resident Sita Devi , aged 70–75 , was rescued from the second floor ; no casualties reported.
The fire was brought under control by 5:40 a.m. ; the cause remains under investigation.
A fire broke out at a restaurant near the Kalkaji-Govind Puri flyover in South Delhi in the early hours of Sunday, 14 June, triggering a large-scale firefighting operation by the Delhi Fire Services (DFS). An elderly woman was rescued from the burning building, and no casualties have been reported.
How the Fire Unfolded
The DFS received the fire call at approximately 4:45 a.m., reporting a blaze at Panjabi Tadka restaurant in H-Block, near Anjali Jewellers and Desh Bandhu Gupta College along the Kalkaji-Govind Puri flyover stretch. The initial response comprised six units — two water tenders, three water bowsers, and one breathing apparatus support vehicle.
As the fire spread rapidly, a 'Make-4' escalation message was issued at around 5:05 a.m., bringing the total deployment to nine units: three water tenders, four water bowsers, one breathing apparatus support vehicle, and one multipurpose vehicle.
Key Rescue Operation
In a swift intervention, DFS personnel evacuated Sita Devi, aged between 70 and 75 years, from the second floor of the building. She was rescued safely. The operation was supervised by Assistant Divisional Officers Yashwant and Sarabjeet, along with Station Officers Phool Singh, Manish Kumar, and Raj Kumar.
Scale of the Blaze
The fire affected a multi-storey structure comprising a basement, ground floor, and three upper floors, as well as a temporary structure on the third-floor terrace. During the incident, three commercial LPG cylinders exploded, significantly intensifying the blaze and posing additional hazards to firefighters on the ground.
Fire Brought Under Control
The DFS brought the fire under control at around 5:40 a.m., with a formal 'Stop' message issued at 5:45 a.m. Cooling operations continued thereafter to prevent any rekindling. The cause of the fire had not been ascertained at the time of the latest update, and further details remain awaited from authorities.
This incident comes amid recurring concerns about fire safety compliance in commercial establishments in Delhi, particularly those operating in mixed-use buildings with residential floors above. Investigations are expected to examine whether the restaurant had valid fire safety clearances.
Point of View
But the real question is whether the restaurant held valid fire NOCs and whether the building's mixed-use nature was ever inspected. Without accountability on compliance, the next such fire is already waiting to happen.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the South Delhi restaurant fire break out on 14 June?
The fire broke out at Panjabi Tadka restaurant in H-Block near the Kalkaji-Govind Puri flyover in South Delhi, close to Anjali Jewellers and Desh Bandhu Gupta College. The DFS received the fire call at approximately 4:45 a.m. on Sunday, 14 June.
Was anyone injured or killed in the Kalkaji restaurant fire?
No casualties were reported. An elderly woman, Sita Devi, aged between 70 and 75 years, was rescued safely from the second floor of the building by Delhi Fire Services personnel.
How many fire tenders were deployed to fight the blaze?
Initially six units were deployed, but a 'Make-4' escalation at around 5:05 a.m. raised the total to nine units, including three water tenders, four water bowsers, one breathing apparatus support vehicle, and one multipurpose vehicle.
What caused the fire at the South Delhi restaurant?
The cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained, according to the Delhi Fire Services. Investigations are ongoing. Three commercial LPG cylinders exploded during the blaze, intensifying the fire.
When was the South Delhi restaurant fire brought under control?
The Delhi Fire Services brought the fire under control at approximately 5:40 a.m., with a formal 'Stop' message issued at 5:45 a.m. Cooling operations continued afterwards to prevent any rekindling.
