Tragic Fire Claims Lives at Vishal Mega Mart in Karol Bagh

Fire Incident Overview

A devastating fire at Vishal Mega Mart in Karol Bagh resulted in the deaths of two individuals on Friday. Among the victims was a 25-year-old civil services aspirant, while the other was a 30-year-old lab technician. The Delhi Fire Department reported that the building lacked a valid fire safety certificate, highlighting serious safety violations. In response to the incident, police have initiated a negligence case, prompting public outcry and calls for accountability.

Victims Identified

The deceased have been identified as Kumar Dhirendra Pratap Singh and Pawan Gautam. Singh, originally from Sonbhadra in Uttar Pradesh, became trapped in a lift during the blaze and succumbed to suffocation. Gautam, an ITI graduate from Aligarh, was found deceased on the second floor of the establishment.

Emergency Response

The Delhi Fire Service received the emergency call at 6:44 PM. Shortly after, Singh sent a distressing message to his brother Vikram, indicating he was trapped and struggling to breathe. Vikram, who was in Sonbhadra, quickly dispatched a friend to the scene. However, authorities initially dismissed the request to check the lift, claiming it was empty. Tragically, Singh's body was recovered at 2:30 AM the following day. Vikram described finding his brother unconscious, having removed his shirt to cover his face from smoke.

Singh's Background

Prior to the fire, Singh had been studying for several hours at a nearby library. His brother Vikram fondly remembered him as a kind-hearted individual who often assisted their mother, a government school teacher, in educating children in their village.

Fire Details

The fire erupted in the multi-storey building housing Vishal Mega Mart, devastating areas from the basement to the third floor. The structure featured only two staircases and a single lift, with inadequate ventilation and only one main entrance. Preliminary investigations indicated that a short circuit on the second floor triggered the blaze.

Firefighting Challenges

Firefighters encountered significant challenges in extinguishing the flames due to poor ventilation. They resorted to using JCB machines to break through upper floors for access. A total of 15 fire engines and 90 firefighters were deployed to manage the situation.