Man dies after fire breaks out at bank in Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 20: A 28-year-old man allegedly suffocated to death in a fire that broke out at a nationalised bank's office at north-west Delhi's Maurya Enclave area on Wednesday.

The deceased, identified as Vipul, worked as a probationary officer in the bank and was posted in the branch around eight months ago, said a police official.

"Vipul's body was found on the first floor, in a corner near the exit and the staircase. He apparently made a failed attempt to escape," said N Gnanasambandan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest).

It is suspected that Vipul collapsed due to suffocation, as the entire floor and staircase was filled with smoke. The fire, which broke out in the first floor of the Bank of Baroda branch at KP Block of Maurya Enclave, was reported around 2 PM.

Soon the second floor of the building was also filled with smoke. Eight fire tenders were rushed to the spot and it took around an hour to douse the flames.

Later, a cooling operation was launched, which lasted till late evening, said an official of Delhi Fire Services. The official further said that ACs, computers, furniture and official documents stored in first floor of the building were destroyed by the fire, suspected to have originated from a short-circuit.

Around 40 persons were reported to be present in the building when the fire broke out. While around 15 of them were rescued by a joint team of Delhi Police and Delhi Fire Services officials, the others rushed to the terrace, scaled the walls and used the staircase of the adjacent building for escape, said a police official.

The police have registered a case under Sections 285 (Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter) and 304A (Causing death by negligence) of IPC against unknown persons at the Maurya Enclave police station.

"The cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained. Investigation is underway," said Gnanasambandan.

PTI