27 DEAD, 12 INJURED AS FIRE BREAKS OUT NEAR MUNDKA METRO STATION IN WEST DELHI

(The Quiver): Twenty-seven people have been killed in a fire that broke out in a three storey commercial building near the Mundka Metro station in west Delhi on Friday afternoon, police said.

More than 70 people were in the building when the fire started on the first floor and engulfed the entire structure soon after. Police personnel said they rescued many by breaking the windows in and using ropes. Twelve people who sustained injuries were admitted to the Sanjay Gandhi hospital.

Deputy commissioner of police (outer) Sameer Sharma said the first floor housed the office of a firm that manufactures CCTV cameras and Wi-Fi routers. While the owner of the firm was taken into custody by local police on Friday evening, it was unclear if he had been arrested or not. Police officers later confirmed that the building owner was arrested.

Distressed by the tragic fire accident at a building near Mundka metro station in Delhi. My condolences to the bereaved families. I wish for speedy recovery of the injured,” President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted.

PM Modi condoled the loss of lives in fire and tweeted, “Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a tragic fire in Delhi. My thoughts are with the bereaved families.”

Delhi Fire Services (DFS) chief Atul Garg said that the fire control room received a call reporting the fire around 4.40pm.

“Ten fire tenders were rushed to the fire spot at first, and 14 more were sent in later, owing to the scale of the fire.