Palam Fire Tragedy: 9 Dead In Delhi, Probe Ordered; PM Announces Ex-Gratia Of Rs 2 Lakh

A devastating fire in Delhi's Palam area has claimed nine lives and left several others injured, triggering grief and urgent action from authorities. The incident, which took place in a multi-storey residential building, has led to a magisterial inquiry to determine the cause of the tragedy.

Fire Breaks Out in Residential Building

The fire broke out on Wednesday morning in a four-storey building located at Ram Market in Palam. The building housed a cloth and cosmetic showroom on the lower floors, while the owner's family lived on the upper floors.

According to officials, the blaze started around 7:04 AM, after which police and emergency teams rushed to the spot. The fire quickly spread through the structure, trapping several people inside.

Nine Dead, Several Injured

The death toll in the incident has risen to nine, with victims reported from multiple hospitals.

At Manipal Hospital, eight people, including women and young children, were declared dead. Another woman was declared brought dead at IGI Hospital, while others are undergoing treatment.

Some victims suffered severe burn injuries and are being treated in hospitals like Safdarjung Hospital.

The incident has left families shattered, with children among those who lost their lives.

Massive Rescue Operation Launched

Emergency services responded quickly to the incident. Around 20 fire tenders and 11 ambulances were deployed to control the blaze and rescue trapped residents.

Teams from multiple agencies, including Delhi Fire Services, police, NDRF, and other departments, worked together to evacuate people and provide medical assistance.
After several hours of effort, the fire was brought under control.

PM Announces Compensation

Reacting to the tragedy, Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives.
He announced financial assistance from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF):

• ₹2 lakh for the families of each deceased
• ₹50,000 for those injured

The Prime Minister also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Delhi CM Orders Magisterial Inquiry

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed deep sorrow over the incident and assured that strict action would follow.

She announced a magisterial inquiry to investigate the cause of the fire and identify any negligence.

In a message shared on social media, she said she was "extremely distressed" and confirmed that all agencies were actively involved in rescue operations.

Investigation Underway

A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has been called to inspect the site. Authorities are trying to determine how the fire started and whether safety norms were followed in the building.
Police and other agencies remain at the site as further investigation continues.