What Happened in Delhi? Massive Fire at Vishal Mega Mart Claims Two Lives

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The fire at Vishal Mega Mart resulted in two fatalities.
- Emergency services responded swiftly with multiple fire tenders.
- Initial investigations point to a potential electrical short circuit as the cause.
- Insufficient ventilation hampered firefighting efforts.
- Authorities are investigating fire safety compliance in the building.
New Delhi, July 5 (NationPress) A catastrophic blaze that broke out at a Vishal Mega Mart location in the Karol Bagh area of Delhi on Saturday resulted in the tragic deaths of two men, as reported by police authorities.
The fire originated in a four-storey commercial building situated on Padam Singh Road, with the flames predominantly affecting the second floor.
Emergency services received the first alarm at around 6:44 P.M. on Friday, leading to an immediate reaction. A minimum of 15 fire tenders were dispatched to the scene to manage the inferno and conduct rescue missions. Despite their diligent efforts, two lives were lost during the firefighting and cooling procedures.
One of the victims has been identified as 25-year-old Kumar Dhirendra Pratap Singh, who was discovered unresponsive in an elevator, reportedly succumbing to suffocation from dense smoke. Officials stated that the elevator was immobilized between floors, likely trapping Singh inside as the fire raged.
Subsequently, during the cooling phase, firefighters uncovered a second body, which was severely charred and initially unidentifiable. Authorities have initiated measures to confirm the identity of this second deceased individual.
Firefighters observed that the building had insufficient ventilation, which severely obstructed rescue operations. To enhance airflow and facilitate smoke dispersal, they had to breach a wall on the third floor.
While the precise cause of the fire is still under investigation, initial evaluations suggest a potential electrical short circuit may have instigated the blaze.
The Delhi Police have commenced a thorough inquiry into this incident, with forensic teams set to analyze the scene for any fire safety compliance violations.
This unfortunate event raises significant concerns regarding fire safety regulations and emergency readiness in densely populated commercial areas like Karol Bagh.