A two-story house partially collapsed in the Shani Bazar area of outer north Delhi on Sunday morning, leading to a fire that left six members of a family injured. The incident took place around 7 a.m. when the family was cooking. The injuries were caused both by the structural collapse and burns from the fire that broke out due to the collapse. At 7:53 a.m., the Delhi Fire Service was alerted, and two fire tenders were rushed to the spot immediately.
Cause of the Incidence
The roof of a DDA Janta flat collapsed, resulting in the breaking of the PNG gas pipeline and the catching of fire in the whole house. The authorities suspected gas cylinder blast at first, which was later ruled out after closer inspection. The fire in all probability started from the PNG pipeline damage due to this collapse.
Casualties and Injuries
The members of the injured family are Raju (40), his wife Rajeshwari (35), their son Rahul (18), and their three daughters—Mohini (12), Varsha (5), and Mahi (3). The percentage of burn injuries differs for each member:
Raju: 52% burns
Rajeshwari: 45% burns
Rahul: 45% burns
Mohini: 50% burns
Varsha and Mahi: They have minor burns (6% and 8% respectively).
The victims are admitted in Raja Harishchandra Hospital, and their health condition is being watched closely.
Eyewitness and Emergency Response
People around the area were immediately responding to the injured before emergency services arrived. Locals claimed that the area was not showing clear signs of imminent danger, making the collapse shocking. The congested locality caused difficulty in accessing the place for fire trucks and other emergency vehicles.
Government Action
The authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse and ensure accountability. Moreover, there have been renewed calls to inspect older buildings in the area for safety concerns. No one has been reported dead; however, the incident has highlighted the pressing need for proactive infrastructure audits in congested urban areas.
