Rescue operations at a multi-storey building in East Delhi’s Vivek Vihar were significantly impeded by an iron grill at the rear and locked gates, including one leading to the terrace, officials have stated.
The building, situated on the periphery of Vivek Vihar and visible from the flyover connecting to the Dilshad Garden Metro station on the Red Line, comprises four floors, with each floor containing four 4BHK flats. Two flats are located at the front and two at the rear of each level.
According to reports, the fire, which originated on the second floor, rapidly ascended to the third and fourth floors. The disruption of electricity supply caused digital locks to malfunction and the lift to cease operation. The building’s design, featuring a single central staircase serving as both the sole entry and exit point, and lacking any emergency exits, offered limited options for escape, complicating the evacuation process.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that a rear side gate was secured by a grill that rescue teams had to cut using tools to gain access. To extricate approximately 15 individuals from the inferno, fire services deployed ladders from various positions and utilized a turntable ladder vehicle.
The majority of the flats within the affected building are reportedly owned rather than rented. In the rear section where the fire initially broke out, balconies were found to be enclosed by metal grills and plastic netting, and the stairwells were described as narrow and confined.
The incident highlights potential safety vulnerabilities in building designs, particularly concerning access points and emergency egress routes. Fire officials noted that the presence of grills on balconies and the general layout of the stairwells posed challenges to their swift intervention. The rapid spread of the fire, exacerbated by the disruption of power and essential services like the lift, underscored the critical importance of unobstructed escape paths and functional safety measures.
The precise cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Preliminary assessments suggest that the structural impediments encountered by the rescue teams may have prolonged the duration of the operation and potentially increased the risk to those trapped inside. Authorities are expected to review building safety regulations and compliance following this incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The building’s configuration, with its central staircase acting as the primary means of access and egress, presented a significant hurdle. The necessity for rescuers to breach an additional locked gate and grill on the rear side demonstrates the critical nature of clear and accessible emergency routes. The use of specialized equipment like the turntable ladder was essential to reach individuals who could not be evacuated via the internal stairwells.
The situation also points to the challenges faced by emergency services in urban environments where building structures may not always incorporate adequate provisions for rapid evacuation during fire incidents. The confined nature of the stairwells and the grill-covered balconies further restricted the ability of occupants to flee and the ability of rescuers to reach them effectively.
The investigation into the fire’s origin is ongoing, with a focus on identifying any contributing factors, including potential electrical faults or other ignition sources. The effectiveness of the rescue operation, despite the obstacles, is a testament to the efforts of the fire personnel. However, the hindrances encountered underscore the ongoing need for vigilance and adherence to safety standards in building construction and maintenance across the city.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
