New Delhi, March 13, 2026: Nearly 1,500 people were rendered homeless after a massive fire swept through a jhuggi cluster near a fish market in the Mansa Ram Park area of Matiala village in West Delhi late Wednesday night. The blaze reduced hundreds of makeshift homes to ashes, forcing families to flee with little more than the clothes they were wearing.
Authorities said there were no fatalities, but residents spent Thursday searching through burnt debris to salvage whatever belongings they could find. According to locals, around 300 jhuggis were destroyed in the fire, though police records currently confirm about 80 structures being damaged.
Several residents alleged that the blaze may have been deliberately started. Some claimed they saw individuals on a motorcycle allegedly throwing a flammable substance before the fire spread rapidly across the settlement. Police officials said these claims are still being verified and investigations are underway.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as flames quickly engulfed the tightly packed dwellings. Many families fled while holding children or carrying infants, leaving behind household items, documents, and essential supplies.
The settlement housed nearly 100 children, many of whom attend nearby government schools. With schoolbooks and uniforms destroyed in the fire, several students were unable to attend examinations scheduled for the day.
Residents also pointed out that the incident occurred shortly after eviction notices were reportedly issued in the area by municipal authorities. Some families said they were asked to vacate the settlement earlier this month, though they claimed the notice period was too short to relocate.
According to the police, a call reporting the fire was received shortly before midnight at Bindapur police station. Firefighters rushed to the spot, and around 28 fire tenders were deployed to bring the flames under control. The fire was finally contained after several hours in the early morning.
Officials said the land where the jhuggi cluster stood is privately owned and its ownership remains disputed. Authorities also noted that complaints regarding garbage dumping and burning had previously been reported in the area.
An investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire. Meanwhile, displaced residents continue to seek temporary shelter and assistance after losing their homes and possessions in the blaze.
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