Nine including 3 children killed in Delhi’s Palam fire

PM announces ex-gratia for victims

New Delhi, Mar 18: Nine people, including two men, four women, and three children, were killed after a fire broke out in a residential building in southwest Delhi’s Palam area on Wednesday morning, officials said.

According to police, the incident occurred around 7 am in Sadh Nagar, Palam Colony, after a fire erupted in a cloth and cosmetics shop operating on the lower floors of the building. The basement, ground, and first floors housed commercial stock, while the family resided on the upper floors.

A total of 12 people were rescued from the building. Of these, nine were declared dead, while three others sustained critical injuries and are undergoing treatment at a hospital.

A senior fire department official said that several members of the family were trapped inside when the blaze broke out. “The building comprised a basement, ground floor, and four storeys, with a temporary tin shed on the roof. Clothes and cosmetics were stored in the lower floors, while the upper floors were used as residences,” the official said.

Two people reportedly jumped from the building to escape the flames and were rushed to the hospital.

Firefighters, along with police teams, carried out rescue and cooling operations, which were still underway at the time of filing this report.

At IGI Hospital, a woman aged around 38 years was brought dead, while a man of about 40 years and a two-year-old girl are undergoing treatment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident, saying, “The fire incident in Palam, Delhi, is saddening. I extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest.” He also announced ex-gratia compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said she was deeply distressed by the incident and has ordered a magisterial inquiry to ascertain the cause of the fire.

The CM announced that financial assistance is being provided to the next of kin of those who lost their lives, including Rs 10 lakh each to the families of deceased adults, Rs 5 lakh each to the families of deceased minors, and Rs 2 lakh each to those who were seriously injured in the incident. She reiterated that the government is committed to ensuring relief, support, and all necessary assistance during this difficult time.

Earlier, she had informed that a magisterial inquiry had been ordered into the incident to probe its cause and other aspects.