A tragic fire engulfed a five-storey residential building in Delhi’s Palam area on Wednesday, resulting in the death of nine family members, including children. A man and his young daughter were injured after jumping from the third floor when rescue efforts fell short due to a lack of equipment reach.
The chaotic escape attempt saw the child suffering leg fractures and the father sustaining head injuries. The family, who lived above a cloth and cosmetic showroom, struggled against thick smoke and flames as attempts to rescue them were delayed. Eyewitnesses claim inadequate safety measures contributed to the tragedy.
Firefighters and rescue teams battled the blaze amidst challenging conditions, aggravated by delayed arrival of rescue vehicles. The fire has been extinguished, with a forensic team now conducting a site inspection. This catastrophic event underscores urgent safety needs in high-density areas.
(With inputs from agencies.)