Nine Dead as Blaze Engulfs East Delhi Building

Key Takeaways

• Nine fatalities confirmed after fire erupts in east Delhi residential complex early Sunday.
• Incident reported at 3:48 a.m. in Vivek Vihar Phase-I, prompting massive multi-agency response.
• Bodies recovered from various floors are handed over to Delhi Police for further investigation.
• Search operations remain ongoing as officials assess the extent of damage to the four-storey structure.

A catastrophic Delhi fire erupted in a residential building in east Delhi early Sunday, resulting in the tragic loss of at least nine lives. The incident occurred in the Vivek Vihar area, shaking the community and drawing immediate attention from emergency responders and law enforcement agencies. According to officials from the Delhi Fire Services, the blaze broke out in a four-storey building located in Vivek Vihar Phase-I. The timing of the fire, early in the morning, likely contributed to the severity of the casualties, as residents were caught unaware and asleep. This event has underscored the urgent need for robust safety measures in high-density residential areas across the capital.

The incident was first reported around 3:48 a.m. on May 3, 2026. Upon receiving the call, police, fire, and disaster management teams rushed to the spot to contain the situation. The rapid deployment of these agencies highlights the immediate gravity of the situation. However, despite the swift response, the fire had already taken a significant toll on the building's occupants. M. Verma, the Division Office (DO), provided crucial updates on the ground, stating that the fire was concentrated in domestic articles within six flats in the building. This detail suggests that the blaze may have started in one flat and spread to others, consuming household items and accelerating the spread of smoke and flames through the structure.

As the night wore on, the focus shifted from containment to recovery. Firefighters worked tirelessly to navigate the smoky, hazardous environment to locate and rescue any remaining survivors. Regrettably, the outcome was grim. M. Verma confirmed that bodies were recovered from different floors of the building. The retrieval of bodies from multiple levels indicates that the fire affected various parts of the structure, making access difficult for both rescue teams and victims trying to escape. In a procedural step critical for legal and medical identification, these bodies were handed over to the Delhi Police crime team. This transfer signifies the beginning of a formal investigation into the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the deaths.