Massive Blaze Engulfs Labour Shelters Near Udyog Bhawan in New Delhi

Fire Incident Overview

A significant fire erupted early Wednesday morning in a cluster of temporary shelters for workers located near Udyog Bhawan in New Delhi, destroying approximately 200 structures, according to a representative from the Delhi Fire Services (DFS).

The DFS received an alert at 3:02 AM regarding a fire originating from an electrical panel adjacent to the labour jhuggis near Udyog Bhawan. The flames rapidly spread through the tightly packed tin-shed accommodations, necessitating a large-scale firefighting response.

Currently, Udyog Bhawan, a key government office complex in the Central Vista area, is undergoing demolition as part of the government's extensive redevelopment initiative. This follows the earlier demolition of the nearby Nirman Bhawan, with Udyog Bhawan having been built in the late 1950s.

Initially, two water tenders were dispatched to manage the fire, but due to its intensity, the response was escalated to include 19 firefighting vehicles, comprising water tenders, bowsers, and specialized units.

The fire was successfully contained by around 5:30 AM. Officials reported that the incident involved around 200 temporary accommodations for labourers and several LPG cylinders.

Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or fatalities. The precise cause of the fire remains under investigation.