New Delhi: A massive fire broke out on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday in the slums of the Tughlaqabad area in south east Delhi in which over 250 shanties were gutted, however, no one was injured, fire officials said.
Atul Garg, Chief Fire Officer, told a news agency, "We came to know about the fire in the slums around 12.15 a.m. following which 28 fire tenders were rushed to the spot. And the fire was brought under control by 4 a.m."
He said, it took time for the fire tenders to reach the spot as it was on the hills, but the fire was doused within four hours and by 8 a.m. cooling off procedure has also been completed.
He also said that as of now the actual reason for the fire is not known. "But we are trying to find out the reason of the fire," Garg added.
Though no death has been reported till now, a ten year-old girl reportedly received injuries in the fire. The girl reportedly received 25-30 per cent burns.
Also read: Little girl charred to death in fire mishap in Uttar Pradesh
Meanwhile, people residing in the shanties said that they could not salvage their belongings from the rubble, most of which has been reduced to ash. Resident said that many of their important documents have been burnt in the fire.
Meanwhile, South East Deputy Commissioner of Police R.P. Meena told a news agency, "In the night it seemed that almost 500 shanties were gutted. However, in the morning it became clear that only 250 shanties have been gutted in fire."
He said, the South East district police after receiving the call also rushed the ambulances and the local police team in the area for rescue operation. Meena further said that very few people were residing in the shanties, and the people came out of their shanties after the fire broke out in one of them.
(With inputs from IANS)
