7 Charred To Death, 60 Huts Gutted In Massive Fire In Delhi

Picture courtesy PTI

New Delhi: A massive fire broke out in the shanties Gokulpuri area here on Saturday, killing seven people. Around 60 huts were gutted in the fire.

The fire services department were informed about fire breaking out in the early hours of Saturday. It took 15 fire tenders to douse the flames after several hours.

“We recovered 7 charred bodies which are unrecognisable, it seemed that these people were sleeping and couldn’t escape as the fire spread extremely fast. As many as 60 huts were also completely burnt. We are yet to know the reasons behind the fire,” ANI quoted Delhi Fire Director Atul Garg as saying.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal visited the site and announced ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to deceased adults’ families, Rs 5 lakh to deceased children’s families and Rs 25,000 to those whose shanties were burnt.

PM Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind expressed their deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the terrible accident.

What caused the fire is yet to be ascertained.