A tragic incident occurred on Friday evening at Vishal Mega Mart in Karol Bagh, Delhi, when a 25-year-old man lost his life after being trapped inside an elevator during a massive fire. The deceased, Kumar Dhirendra Pratap Singh, had reportedly come to the four-storey building in search of a job. Delhi Police confirmed the fatality on Saturday and stated that the exact floor Singh had intended to visit remains unclear. The fire originated on the second floor of the department store at around 6:30 PM and quickly escalated, engulfing multiple floors in dense smoke.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central), Nidhin Valsan, Singh was inside the elevator when the fire broke out, trapping him with no escape route. The circumstances surrounding whether he was attending a job interview or visiting another section of the building are still under investigation. Despite quick alerts, the thick smoke made evacuation difficult for rescue teams. Thirteen fire tenders were dispatched to the scene to douse the flames and contain the blaze from spreading to adjacent floors. The operation is still underway as some areas remain inaccessible due to lingering smoke.
Officials from the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) described the rescue mission as challenging due to limited visibility and high heat levels. While the fire has largely been brought under control, rescue and ventilation efforts continue. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire, but an inquiry has been initiated. This incident has reignited serious concerns over fire safety compliance in commercial buildings, particularly those frequented by job seekers and shoppers. Families of the victim and local residents are calling for strict accountability and improved emergency response systems to prevent such tragedies in the future.
