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Key Points

A devastating fire erupted in a Rohini slum cluster, resulting in the tragic death of two young children. The blaze destroyed approximately 150 jhuggis, with gas cylinder explosions contributing to the rapid spread. Fire officials deployed 26 fire tenders and faced challenges navigating the congested area. The incident highlights the ongoing urban infrastructure and safety challenges in Delhi's densely populated settlements.

Key Points: Rohini Slum Fire Kills Two Children Amid Gas Cylinder Blast

  • Massive fire destroys 150 jhuggis in Rohini slum cluster
  • Two minor children tragically killed in devastating blaze
  • 26 fire tenders deployed to control massive fire
  • Congested roads hampered initial firefighting efforts
2 min read

Delhi: Two kids charred to death in slum cluster in Rohini

Tragic fire in Delhi's Rohini sector destroys 150 jhuggis, claiming two young lives and causing massive damage to slum cluster

"The fire started around 11.55 a.m. and was declared a medium category fire by 12.40 p.m. - M.K. Chattopadhyay, Deputy Chief Fire Officer"

New Delhi, April 27

Two minor children were charred to death on Sunday as a blaze destroyed 150 jhuggis in a cluster in Sector 17 of north Delhi’s Rohini, a Fire Department official said.

The fire is suspected to have started in one of the jhuggis near Shri Niketan Apartment and resulted in the bursting of a number of 5-kg cooking gas cylinders used for cooking, said an official.

“The fire started around 11.55 a.m. and as per our SOP, four to five fire tenders were rushed, but it was declared a medium category fire by 12.40 p.m.,” said M.K. Chattopadhyay, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, West Zone.

He said a total of 26 fire tenders were pressed into service.

Earlier, the firemen encountered difficulties in reaching the incident spot due to congestion on the road leading to the slum cluster.

The cluster has 800-1,000 jhuggis and almost 150 of them have been damaged,” said a police official.

A eyewitness said a dark smoke column rising from the jhuggi cluster was visible from almost a kilometre away.

In a separate incident, a fire erupted in a wooded area under Shakarpur police station’s jurisdiction around 11 a.m.

Three fire engines were dispatched to the scene, which brought the blaze under control within an hour.

Fire Officer Bhim Sain said, “We received a call that there was a fire in the trees on the side of the road leading towards Laxmi Nagar. We rushed vehicles there and controlled the fire.”

The Delhi Fire Service handles a large volume of emergency situations annually, with over 36,000 incidents being reported annually. It has 67 fire stations and needs 18 more to address the growing city’s requirements.

On Friday, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that her government planned to spend Rs 504 crore on new machinery and infrastructure.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
This is absolutely heartbreaking 💔 Those poor children and families... We need better safety measures in these vulnerable communities. The government must act now to prevent such tragedies.
R
Rahul S.
The fire department did their best but the congestion issues are unacceptable. Why aren't there proper access roads to these areas? This is basic infrastructure 101.
A
Anjali M.
My cousin lives near that area and sent me videos. The smoke was terrifying. So glad more people weren't hurt but two lives lost is two too many. 😢
S
Sanjay P.
While the tragedy is undeniable, I wish the article had more details about the victims and what immediate help is being provided to the displaced families. The human impact matters most.
N
Neha T.
Gas cylinders in such close quarters is a recipe for disaster. There should be community kitchens or safer alternatives. My prayers with all affected families 🙏
V
Vikram D.
The Rs 504 crore announcement is good but too late for these kids. Implementation needs to be faster - lives are at stake every day in these conditions.

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