A devastating fire broke out in a residential building in Delhi’s Palam area, claiming the lives of nine people, including three children, in one of the deadliest residential incidents in recent months. The tragedy unfolded late at night, when most residents were asleep, leaving them with little time to react.

According to officials, the fire is believed to have originated on the lower floors of the building before rapidly spreading upward, engulfing multiple apartments. The narrow structure and congested surroundings made it difficult for residents to escape and for emergency responders to reach the site promptly.

Firefighters rushed to the scene soon after receiving distress calls, deploying multiple fire tenders to control the blaze. However, by the time the flames were brought under control, several residents had already succumbed to severe burns and suffocation caused by dense smoke.

Among the deceased were three children, whose deaths have left the community in deep shock and mourning. Neighbours described scenes of panic as families tried to escape through smoke-filled staircases, while others shouted for help from windows.

Preliminary investigations suggest that an electrical short circuit may have triggered the fire, although officials have not ruled out other possibilities. Authorities have launched a detailed probe to determine the exact cause and to assess whether safety norms were violated.

Local residents have raised concerns about the lack of proper fire safety measures in the building. Many claimed that there were no functional fire extinguishers or emergency exits, which could have prevented the scale of the tragedy.

Delhi government officials have expressed condolences to the families of the victims and announced compensation for the deceased. Senior officials also visited the site to review the situation and ensure that the injured receive adequate medical care.

This tragic incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations in residential areas, especially in densely populated parts of the capital.