Delhi Vivek Vihar Fire Tragedy: Toddler Among 9 Dead, AC Blast Suspected

New Delhi- A devastating fire in Vivek Vihar claimed at least nine lives, including a toddler, after flames tore through a multi-storey residential building in the early hours of Sunday. Authorities confirmed that several residents were rescued, while search operations continued for hours after the blaze.

Emergency services received an alert just before 4 am, following which teams from the Delhi Fire Services rushed to the scene with multiple fire tenders. The fire spread rapidly across several flats, trapping occupants and making rescue efforts difficult.

Officials said the blaze affected upper floors of the building, forcing firefighters to carry out evacuations through balconies and narrow access points. Around a dozen residents were pulled out safely, while some sustained minor injuries and were shifted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital for treatment.

The firefighting and rescue operation stretched over five hours due to the building’s complex layout and the intensity of the flames. Teams from local police, disaster management authorities, and traffic units coordinated efforts to control the situation and assist residents.

After the fire was brought under control, personnel entered the building and recovered nine bodies from different locations, including flats and stairwells. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the incident.

While officials have not confirmed the origin of the fire, several local residents suggested that a possible air conditioner explosion may have triggered the blaze. Eyewitnesses reported seeing sparks near an external AC unit shortly before the fire intensified.

The tragedy has sparked grief and concern, with Rekha Gupta expressing condolences to the affected families and assuring that all necessary support and medical care are being provided to the injured.

Authorities said a detailed inquiry is underway to determine the exact cause and assess safety lapses, if any, as the city grapples with yet another fatal residential fire incident.