Shahdara fire: Owner of building identified, to be arrested soon

A day after three persons were allegedly charred to death in a massive fire at a building in North-east Delhi’s Shahdara area in the wee hours of Wednesday, Delhi Police on Thursday said that they have identified one of the building owners.

“We have identified the building owner and are to make the arrests soon,” said A K Singla, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North-east).

In the wee hours of Wednesday, three persons including an eight-year-old girl were allegedly charred to death at a building in the Mohan Park area of Shahdara. According to the police, ten other persons sustained injuries including fractures, police said. The deceased have been identified as Rajni (30) and her eight-year-old daughter Karina and one Sanjay (36).

According to the senior police officer, to avoid getting burnt, two people had jumped from the first floor of the building. Meanwhile, they are out of danger.

“We received a call at around 5.06 am that a fire broke out in the parking area of the house. Here 12 e-rickshaws were kept for charging. The fire that started at the ground floor, quickly spread throughout the four-storeyed building,” said a senior fire department official.

Police said that they were informed by eyewitnesses that several people were charging their e-rickshaws which had allegedly resulted in the short-circuit.

A senior police official said that teams have been formed to nab the building owner, who is absconding since the building blaze. Further investigation is underway.