Key Facts
A massive fire broke out in a five-storey residential building in Delhi's Tughlakabad Extension in the early hours of Friday, June 13, 2026. The blaze, which started around 2:15 am, claimed three lives and left several others injured. Quick action by neighbors using ladders, saree pulleys, and other makeshift tools helped rescue many trapped residents.
Details of the Incident
According to police, the fire originated in the parking area on the ground floor, suspected to have been triggered by a short circuit while an electric scooter was being charged. Smoke quickly engulfed the entire building, making escape difficult for residents. The fifth floor of the building was reportedly illegally constructed, adding to the hazards.
Three people died in the fire: 28-year-old Pankaj Pandey, his 70-year-old grandmother Sushila Devi, and his 20-year-old sister Soni. Two other family members on the fourth floor suffered severe injuries, along with two other family members and three residents from the fifth floor.
Neighbors Turn Rescuers
Residents of the neighborhood sprang into action within minutes. Saurav Sharma, 35, and his 16-year-old daughter Anshu used a saree pulley to help a man climb down from the second floor. Sharma said, 'My daughter quickly grabbed my wife's saree and threw it towards him. He tied it around the railing of his balcony and climbed down.'
Another resident, Renu Bhutani, 45, and her son entered the building via the terrace using two wooden ladders tied together. They broke open a locked door, punctured water tanks on the roof to reduce smoke, and rescued two girls from the fifth floor and a couple from the third floor. 'We used stones to puncture the water tanks so that water could flow down the stairs and reduce the smoke,' Bhutani said.
Krishna Kashyap, 16, said neighbors caught a man who climbed down using only their hands. 'The problem is that there is no ventilation in the building; many newer buildings are similar,' he noted.
Official Response
A Delhi Fire Service official confirmed that locals had already rescued several people before firefighters arrived. 'People on the first, second, and third floors were rescued by neighbors. We doused the fire and started operations. Unfortunately, five people on the fourth floor sustained critical injuries,' the official said.
What Readers Should Know
- The fire was likely caused by a short circuit while charging an electric scooter.
- Three people died; several others were injured.
- Neighbors used innovative methods like saree pulleys and ladders to rescue residents.
- The building's fifth floor was illegally constructed, which may have worsened the situation.
- Residents highlighted lack of ventilation in modern buildings as a safety concern.
FAQ
What caused the fire in Tughlakabad?
The fire is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit while an electric scooter was being charged in the parking area on the ground floor.
How many people died in the Tughlakabad fire?
Three people died: Pankaj Pandey (28), his grandmother Sushila Devi (70), and his sister Soni (20).
How did neighbors help in the rescue?
Neighbors used saree pulleys, wooden ladders, and mattresses to rescue trapped residents. They also broke down doors and used water from rooftop tanks to reduce smoke.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com