NEW DELHI: A devastating fire at a multi-storey building housing multiple manufacturing units near Rithala metro station in Rohini claimed four lives and left three others injured on Tuesday late evening. The fire broke out at the Rana Complex, Gate No. 2, Rithala, prompting a large-scale rescue operation.
According to officials, the fire is suspected to have been triggered by a self-immolation bid inside the premises. Delhi Fire Services were alerted to the blaze around 7.25 pm and dispatched 16 fire tenders to the scene. More vehicles were later called in, and the fire was brought under control around 9 am on Wednesday— after nearly 15 hours of efforts.
The building was located in a narrow lane, which posed a significant challenge for the firefighters, officials said, adding that because there was no ventilation in the building, the fire was hard to control and they had to make a hole on the ground and first floor using JCB machine to enter the building and control the blaze.
According to the officials, the ground and first floors of the building, owned by one Suresh Bansal, were used for making readymade and plastic bags, while the second floor was rented to a fabric worker. The top two floors served as a godown, rented by a waste disposal business, a police officer said.
Those injured include, Nitin Bansal (son of the building’s owner), Rakesh Arora (69), and another worker named Virender. Nitin and Rakesh sustained 80% burn injuries, with both requiring transfer to RML Hospital for further treatment. Virender, who suffered minor burns, was taken to BSA Hospital.
Around 1.15 am on Wednesday, firefighters recovered three charred bodies from the first floor, and later found another body on the top floor. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, though initial reports suggest that the building did not have a fire No Objection Certificate (NOC). An FIR against unidentified people has been registered under relevant BNS sections, police said.
Residents of the area reported hearing screams for help as the fire quickly spread. “The fire was massive, starting from the lower floor and rapidly engulfing the upper portions of the building,” said Abhinav Singh, a local resident.