A devastating fire swept through a five-storey residential building in southeast Delhi's Tughlakabad Extension, claiming the lives of three family members and critically injuring two others.
The blaze, which broke out around 2.30am on Friday, was fueled by a cramped layout with no fire exits, ventilation, or safety equipment.
A preliminary inquiry suggests the fire began on the ground floor due to an electrical short circuit, which rapidly spread after engulfing seven parked two-wheelers, including an electric scooter.
Neighbours, who were awoken by the fire, turned rescuers, lashing together wooden ladders to reach the rooftop and pull out eight trapped residents.
The dead were identified as Sushila Devi, 70; her grandson Pankaj Pandey, 28; and her granddaughter Soni, 20. Her 18-year-old granddaughter, Mani, and her 50-year-old daughter remain critical.
The incident is the third deadly building-safety failure in the Capital in barely a fortnight, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and enforcement.
