14 die, 12 hurt in massive fire at Delhi building; more feared trapped

At least 14 people died in a fire that broke out at a building near west Delhi’s Mundka metro station on Friday. Fire department officials said the number could go up as more were feared trapped, and rescue operation was underway.

According to available information, another 12 people suffered injuries in the blaze. All of them were being treated at the Sanjay Gandhi Hospital.

News agency ANI quoted DCP, Outer district Sameer Sharma as saying fire was spread on two floors. “Police force deployed with the area being cordoned off… Fire on two floors,” he was quoted as saying.

As many as 24 fire engines are at the spot to douse the flames. Officials of Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said the fire was reported at 4.40pm.

DFS chief Atul Garg said the fire was first spotted near pillar 544 of the metro station. Initially, 10 fire tenders were rushed to the site. Later, another 14 were sent to bring the blaze under control.

The Delhi Police said that on preliminary inquiry, it was learnt the affected building was typically used for commercial purposes such as providing office space for companies, according to a report by news agency ANI.

“The fire initiated from the first floor of the building which is an office of a CCTV cameras and router manufacturing company,” a police officer was quoted as saying.

The owner of the firm was taken into custody, police said.