Twin fires hit Delhi's Karol Bagh PG and Bawana factory on Wednesday
Synopsis
Two fires broke out across Delhi on the same Wednesday morning — one at a PG-cum-shoe-unit in Karol Bagh that was escalated to a 'Make-4' emergency, and another at a four-storey helmet factory in Bawana where stored plastics accelerated the blaze. No casualties reported, but both sites were still active when operations were ongoing.
Key Takeaways
Two separate fire incidents were reported in New Delhi on Wednesday, 22 July , with no casualties confirmed.
The Karol Bagh fire at building 11/5, Chana Market was escalated to a 'Make-4' emergency by 11:05 a.m. , requiring additional firefighting resources.
The building housed a PG accommodation on upper floors and a leather shoe manufacturing unit on lower levels.
The Bawana-Puth Khurd helmet factory fire broke out at approximately 9:30 a.m. and spread rapidly due to stored plastic materials .
Causes of both fires remain undetermined ; investigations are expected once operations conclude.
Two major fire incidents broke out in separate parts of New Delhi on Wednesday, 22 July, triggering simultaneous firefighting and rescue operations by the Delhi Fire Service, police, and emergency agencies. No casualties have been reported so far, though operations were still underway at the time of filing.
Karol Bagh PG Fire: What Happened
The first blaze erupted at a paying guest (PG) accommodation located at building number 11/5, Chana Market, in Karol Bagh, Central Delhi. The fire control room received an emergency call between 10:58 a.m. and 10:59 a.m., prompting an immediate dispatch of firefighting units.
The initial response comprised one water tender, three water bowsers, and a breathing apparatus support unit. As the flames intensified, authorities escalated the incident to a 'Make-4' classification between 11:05 a.m. and 11:06 a.m. — a designation reserved for serious emergencies requiring additional manpower and equipment.
According to police officials, the upper floors of the building were being used as PG accommodation, while the ground floor and lower levels housed a small leather shoe manufacturing unit. Details on casualties, the cause of the fire, and the extent of property damage were yet to be ascertained as operations continued.
Bawana Factory Blaze: Rapid Spread Due to Plastics
The second incident unfolded earlier in the morning, at approximately 9:30 a.m., when a fire broke out at a four-storey factory in the Bawana-Puth Khurd industrial area of Outer North Delhi. The factory was engaged in the manufacturing of helmets.
Officials said the fire spread rapidly owing to the large quantity of plastic materials stored inside the premises. Several fire tenders were dispatched to the site, and firefighting alongside rescue operations were launched. The exact cause of the Bawana blaze had not been determined as of the latest reports.
Emergency Response and Scale of Operations
Both incidents demanded large-scale coordination between the Delhi Fire Service, local police, and other emergency agencies. The near-simultaneous nature of the two fires placed significant pressure on the capital's emergency response infrastructure.
Notably, the Bawana-Puth Khurd industrial corridor has witnessed fire incidents in the past, with industrial units storing flammable raw materials identified as a recurring risk factor. The Karol Bagh area, densely packed with commercial and residential buildings, presents its own structural challenges for fire containment.
What Comes Next
Investigations into the cause of both fires are expected to begin once operations are concluded. Authorities are yet to release a final assessment of property damage or confirm whether any occupants remain unaccounted for. The Delhi Fire Service is likely to submit incident reports to civic authorities, which may prompt a review of fire safety compliance in both the Karol Bagh PG cluster and the Bawana industrial zone.
Point of View
Yet regulatory follow-through on fire safety compliance in small factories remains inconsistent. The Karol Bagh incident, meanwhile, points to the structural hazard of mixed-use buildings where residential PG accommodation sits above commercial manufacturing units — a combination that complicates both evacuation and containment. Until municipal authorities enforce fire safety audits with real consequences, these incidents will keep repeating.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the two Delhi fires break out on 22 July?
The two fires broke out at a PG accommodation in Karol Bagh's Chana Market (building 11/5) and at a four-storey helmet manufacturing factory in the Bawana-Puth Khurd industrial area of Outer North Delhi. Both incidents occurred on the morning of 22 July.
Were there any casualties in the Delhi fires?
No casualties have been reported in either fire incident as of the latest updates. Rescue and firefighting operations were still underway, and authorities said details on possible casualties were yet to be fully ascertained.
What is a 'Make-4' fire classification?
A 'Make-4' classification is used by the Delhi Fire Service to designate a serious emergency requiring additional manpower and firefighting equipment beyond the initial response. The Karol Bagh fire was escalated to this level between 11:05 a.m. and 11:06 a.m. on Wednesday.
Why did the Bawana factory fire spread so quickly?
Officials said the fire at the Bawana helmet factory spread rapidly due to the large quantity of plastic materials stored inside the premises. Plastics are highly flammable and can accelerate the spread of industrial fires significantly.
What was inside the Karol Bagh building that caught fire?
The upper floors of the Karol Bagh building were used as paying guest (PG) accommodation, while the ground floor and lower levels housed a small leather shoe manufacturing unit, according to police officials.
