Nine killed in early morning fire at residential building in East Delhi

New Delhi: At least nine people lost their lives in a devastating fire that broke out in the early hours of Sunday in a residential building in the Vivek Vihar area of East Delhi, officials confirmed.

The incident occurred around 3:48 am in a four-storey building located in Vivek Vihar Phase-1. Upon receiving information, teams from the fire department, police, and disaster management authorities rushed to the spot and launched a large-scale rescue operation.

According to police, the fire engulfed flats on the second, third, and fourth floors of the building, creating panic among residents. Thick smoke and flames made rescue efforts challenging, but authorities managed to evacuate several occupants.

Officials said around 10 to 15 people were rescued from the building during the operation. Among them, two individuals who sustained minor injuries were shifted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital for treatment.

A total of 12 fire tenders were deployed to bring the blaze under control. Personnel from the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, traffic police, and local police assisted in rescue and evacuation efforts.

After several hours of intensive firefighting, the blaze was brought under control. However, the exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the origin of the fire and assess any possible safety lapses.

The identities of the deceased are yet to be confirmed. Police stated that further investigation is underway.