A massive fire tore through labour slums near Udyog Bhawan in New Delhi in the early hours of Wednesday, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and triggering an emergency response from the Delhi Fire Service. The blaze, which is believed to have originated from an electric panel, quickly spread to nearby temporary structures housing labourers, prompting the deployment of a large fleet of fire tenders to the spot.

How the Fire Started

According to officials from the Delhi Fire Service, the fire broke out when an electric panel caught fire and the flames rapidly spread to the temporary rooms and makeshift structures in the surrounding area. Fire Officer Sandeep Duggal, speaking to ANI, noted that the area near Sena Bhawan serves as a temporary settlement for construction labourers, where small LPG cylinders and loosely laid electric wires are commonly used — both of which could have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.

Duggal stated that while the exact cause is yet to be confirmed, either the LPG cylinders or the electrical wiring in the area are the likely reasons behind the incident.

Massive Firefighting Operation Launched

The Delhi Fire Service swung into action immediately after receiving information about the blaze. Around 25 firefighting vehicles were deployed to the site, and teams worked through the night to bring the fire under control. After nearly three hours of firefighting efforts, the situation was finally brought under control by 5:10 am, with an official "under control" message issued by 5:30 am.

Despite the scale of the fire and the density of the temporary structures in the area, no casualties or injuries have been reported so far. Authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage caused to the structures and belongings of the labourers who lived in the settlement.

Second Major Slum Fire in Delhi Within 48 Hours

What makes this incident particularly alarming is that it is the second major slum fire in Delhi within just two days. On Monday night, a devastating fire had broken out in a cluster of slums located behind Maulana Azad Medical College in the Balmiki Basti area of Takia Kale Khan.

The Delhi Fire Service received information about that fire at around 11:22 pm, after which firefighting teams were immediately dispatched to the scene. While seven to eight fire tenders were deployed initially, the intensity of the blaze forced authorities to scale up the response, eventually bringing the total number of vehicles to 24.

Mukesh Verma, Divisional Officer of the Delhi Fire Service, confirmed that the fire had been completely brought under control. He explained that the affected area included both residential slums and storage facilities, including a plywood storage unit, and that the large quantity of wooden material combined with the density of temporary structures had caused the fire to spread at an unusually fast pace. He confirmed that no casualties were reported in preliminary information from that incident either.

Growing Concern Over Fire Safety in Delhi Slums

Two major slum fires in less than 48 hours have raised serious questions about fire safety conditions in Delhi's densely packed informal settlements. The widespread use of LPG cylinders, exposed electrical wiring, and highly flammable construction materials in these areas creates a dangerous environment where fires can escalate rapidly before help arrives.

Authorities have not yet issued any official statement regarding preventive measures or relief for the affected families. Further updates on the damage assessment and support for displaced residents are awaited.