In a heart-wrenching incident, nine people perished when a massive fire broke out in a four-story apartment block in New Delhi’s Vivek Vihar neighborhood on Sunday dawn. The tragedy in Shahdara has drawn sorrowful reactions from top Union ministers Amit Shah and Piyush Goyal.
Firefighters battled the inferno for over two hours after receiving an early morning alert. The fire, which started on upper floors, spread rapidly, trapping residents. Rescue teams managed to save over a dozen individuals, some with injuries now under hospital care.
Home Minister Amit Shah posted on X, calling the Vivek Vihar fire ‘painful beyond words.’ His message focused on solidarity with grieving families, invoking divine strength for them and hoping for quick recovery of the wounded, with assurances of best medical aid.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s office shared a poignant note on the same platform, expressing distress over the loss of lives. They stood in solidarity with the victims’ kin, praying for eternal peace for the deceased and fortitude for those left behind.
DCP Shahdara Rajendra Prasad Meena detailed the response: swift arrival of teams, prolonged firefighting, and subsequent search operations. Two victims with minor injuries were rushed to GTB Hospital, alongside others needing treatment.
Eyewitnesses described chaos as the fire’s ferocity caught everyone off guard. People jumped to safety or were pulled out amid smoke and panic. With nine confirmed dead, the community mourns while questions arise over building safety compliance.
As Delhi reels from this loss, calls grow for comprehensive audits of fire-prone structures. The incident serves as a stark reminder of vulnerabilities in high-rise living, demanding immediate policy reforms.
