A devastating fire ripped through a four-storey building in Delhi’s Rohini area on Tuesday evening, killing four and injuring three others in a tragedy that unfolded over nearly 15 hours of firefighting. The building, which housed multiple unauthorized manufacturing units including a perfume factory, was engulfed in flames suspected to have started from an act of arson. A source from the Delhi Fire Services indicated that a worker allegedly attempted self-immolation following a dispute, which may have triggered the inferno. Although the police have yet to confirm the motive, the fire’s intensity was magnified by the presence of highly flammable materials like fabric and plastic, making rescue efforts exceptionally difficult.
The structure, located in a densely packed residential area, lacked basic safety provisions and fire clearance. Firefighters, constrained by the building’s narrow approach lanes and absence of ventilation, were forced to drill holes through the side walls using a JCB machine to access the heart of the blaze. The operation, which began on Tuesday at 7:30 pm, continued until 10 am the next day. Inside, teams discovered charred bodies, including two women, and rushed three survivors—two of whom sustained 80% burns—to hospitals. The Delhi Police have registered an FIR under multiple sections related to negligence and endangering life, while DNA testing is underway to identify the deceased.
Disturbing survivor accounts highlighted the chaos. One woman jumped from a balcony to escape, while another man recalled the fire penetrating deep into packed goods, making it impossible to extinguish quickly. A victim’s son recounted his father’s final words, “I won’t survive, beta. I’m going to die of suffocation.” This tragedy has reignited scrutiny over illegal industrial setups operating in residential zones. Delhi Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has vowed a thorough investigation, attributing blame to previous administrations and promising to crack down on such unauthorized units that continue to risk lives.
