New Delhi: Single escape route, electric meter installed near the main gate and parked vehicles can be the reasons which led to fire deaths in South East Delhi's Zaki Nagar area. The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) officials said that the faulty building design caused hindrance during the rescue operation. The fire officials said that there was only one escape route through the staircase in the building. "It is being suspected that the fire broke out in an electric meter due to short circuit. The box was located next to the stairs," said officials adding that the main escape route was charred.
Chief Fire Officer (DFS) Atul Garg said," Five fire tenders were sent to the spot, but they faced difficulty in reaching the place through narrow and congested lanes. Most of the building residents were sleeping at the time of the incident," said Garg. He further added that stationary vehicles in the building caught fire, which created hindrance in the rescue operation.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South East) Chinmoy Biswal said that they have registered a case under sections 285 and 304A. Police identified the deceased as Soha (23), Nagma (30), Zikra (10), Adyan (8) and an unknown male. "The injured identified as Athar lost her wife and two children in the fire incident," police said adding that Adyan's father was also injured. Another possibility is also being probed if there was some blast due to overload in the electric pole which led to the short circuit.
Faulty design
The building consists of 13 flats. DFS Director Vipin Kental told Millennium Post that the building had different floor levels. "The staircase was built on the extreme end of the building," said the DFS chief. He further said that the building was totally confined. "Due to heat, the pillars were damaged badly. The building was like a match box," said Vipin Kental adding that no proper ventilation was there. The only opening in the whole building was the main gate which was engulfed in fire.