A significant fire erupted in a labor settlement close to Udyog Bhawan in central Delhi early Wednesday, where workers linked to the Central Vista redevelopment project resided. The fire quickly spread through the settlement, prompting a large-scale firefighting operation by the Delhi Fire Service. Preliminary reports suggest the fire may have been triggered by a short circuit, with explosions from commercial and small LPG cylinders at the site intensifying the blaze.
An electric panel fire was first reported near the Labour Jhuggi area at Udyog Bhawan. Due to the fire’s intensity, the Delhi Fire Service upgraded the incident to a Make-4 category fire and deployed multiple firefighting units, including water tenders and fire bikes. Additional water bowsers were later sent to the scene to help control the fire. DFS, DO, Sandeep Duggal mentioned, “The call came in around 3:02 a.m., and our initial fire units arrived within minutes. Given the fire’s intensity, the incident was elevated to Category/Make-4 around 3:24 a.m…”
Firefighters worked tirelessly for hours to contain the flames and prevent them from spreading to nearby structures. Authorities are evaluating the damage to the labor settlement and investigating the exact cause of the fire. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported thus far. In a separate incident on Tuesday, a massive fire broke out in a slum cluster behind Delhi’s Maulana Azad Medical College in the Balmiki Basti area of Takia Kale Khan, destroying around 30 huts and a significant amount of combustible materials like plywood and timber.
Despite the fire’s intensity, emergency services and police responded swiftly, resulting in no casualties or injuries. A PCR call concerning the fire at Takia Kale Khan Gadda was received at approximately 11:32 p.m. on Monday. Local police teams promptly arrived at the scene and initiated rescue and evacuation efforts. Upon arrival, it was discovered that a large fire had engulfed a stockpile of old furniture, timber, plywood, and other highly flammable materials. A coordinated effort involving police and firefighting teams successfully controlled the situation and averted any loss of life.
