Delhi fire at Udyog Bhawan labour settlement; no casualties reported
Synopsis
Two major fires in under 24 hours have swept through informal settlements in central Delhi — the second gutting a labour colony housing Central Vista project workers near Udyog Bhawan. LPG cylinder explosions intensified the blaze, forcing a Make-4 emergency response at 3 am. No lives were lost, but the incidents expose the persistent fire hazard in Delhi's densely packed worker settlements.
Key Takeaways
A Make-4 category fire broke out at a labour settlement near Udyog Bhawan , central New Delhi , at approximately 3:02 am on 25 June 2025 .
Workers associated with the Central Vista redevelopment project were residing at the site.
The fire is suspected to have been triggered by a short circuit ; LPG cylinder explosions accelerated its spread.
The Delhi Fire Service deployed water tenders, fire bikes, and water bowsers; no casualties were reported.
A separate fire the previous day destroyed at least 30 huts in the Balmiki Basti area near Maulana Azad Medical College — also with no casualties.
A major fire broke out in the early hours of Wednesday, 25 June 2025, at a labour settlement near Udyog Bhawan in central New Delhi, where workers associated with the Central Vista redevelopment project were residing. The blaze escalated rapidly, prompting the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) to launch a large-scale firefighting operation. No casualties have been reported.
How the Fire Started
According to preliminary reports, the fire is suspected to have originated from a short circuit near an electric panel in the Labour Jhuggi area at Udyog Bhawan. The situation was significantly worsened by explosions in commercial and small LPG cylinders stored at the site, which accelerated the spread of flames across the densely packed settlement.
Scale of the Response
DFS Divisional Officer Sandeep Duggal said the first call was received at 3:02 am and fire units reached the spot within minutes. 'The call was received at around 3:02 a.m., and our first fire units reached the spot within a few minutes. Considering the intensity of the fire, the incident was upgraded to Category/Make-4 at around 3:24 a.m...' Duggal said. The DFS escalated the incident to a Make-4 category — one of the highest alert levels — deploying multiple water tenders, fire bikes, and additional water bowsers to contain the blaze.
Firefighters Prevent Spread to Nearby Structures
Firefighting teams worked for several hours to prevent the flames from engulfing adjacent structures. Authorities are currently assessing the extent of damage to the settlement and investigating the precise cause of the incident. No injuries or fatalities have been confirmed as of the latest reports.
Second Major Delhi Fire in 24 Hours
Notably, this is the second significant fire in New Delhi within a single day. On Tuesday, a fire broke out in a slum cluster behind Maulana Azad Medical College in the Balmiki Basti area of Takia Kale Khan, destroying at least 30 huts along with large quantities of plywood, timber, and other combustible materials. A PCR call regarding that fire was received at around 11:32 pm on Monday. Police and firefighting teams coordinated swiftly, preventing any loss of life despite the scale of the blaze. The back-to-back incidents highlight the acute fire risk in Delhi's informal settlements, particularly those housing construction workers in densely packed, combustible conditions.
What Happens Next
Authorities are expected to complete their damage assessment and submit a fire cause report in the coming days. The recurring pattern of fires in Delhi's labour settlements and slum clusters is likely to renew calls for stricter fire safety inspections and improved LPG storage protocols at such sites.
Point of View
Makeshift wiring, and combustible materials coexist with zero regulatory oversight. The DFS response was swift, but swift response is not a substitute for prevention. Delhi has seen this cycle repeatedly: fire, no casualties by luck, damage assessment, and silence. Until fire safety norms are enforced at temporary worker settlements — especially those tied to high-profile government projects — the next fire is a matter of when, not if.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the Udyog Bhawan fire break out and when?
The fire broke out at a labour settlement near Udyog Bhawan in central New Delhi at approximately 3:02 am on 25 June 2025. Workers associated with the Central Vista redevelopment project were residing at the site.
What caused the fire near Udyog Bhawan?
The fire is preliminarily suspected to have been caused by a short circuit near an electric panel in the Labour Jhuggi area. Explosions in commercial and small LPG cylinders stored at the site further intensified and spread the blaze, according to officials.
What is a Make-4 category fire?
Make-4 is one of the highest emergency classifications used by the Delhi Fire Service, indicating a large-scale fire requiring multiple firefighting units. The Udyog Bhawan fire was escalated to this level at around 3:24 am, prompting deployment of water tenders, fire bikes, and additional water bowsers.
Were there any casualties in the Udyog Bhawan fire?
No casualties or injuries have been reported as of the latest updates. The swift response by the Delhi Fire Service helped contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures.
Was there another fire in Delhi around the same time?
Yes. A day earlier, a fire destroyed at least 30 huts in the Balmiki Basti area of Takia Kale Khan, near Maulana Azad Medical College in Delhi. That fire, reported at around 11:32 pm on Monday, also resulted in no casualties due to a coordinated police and firefighting response.
