Over 250 jhuggis gutted but no lives lost

New Delhi: More than 250 jhuggis were gutted at Mangolpuri in outer Delhi after a major fire broke out early on Monday. Though there was no casualty, three people sustained minor burns. Around 1,000 people staying in these jhuggis lost their houses and belongings. Police suspected that the fire was either due to short circuit or a smouldering biddi or cigarette.
A fire official said they received a call around 1.45am from TU Block of Mangolpuri. The locals struggled to douse the fire for the first 10 minutes before making the emergency calls, which worsened the situation.
Around 28 fire tenders, a quick-reaction team, local police staff, volunteers of civil defence, and personnel from the department of Delhi disaster management authority were rushed to the spot. The entire operation lasted till 7am after which a cooling operation began, police said.
The cluster was situated between high-tension wires and Mangolpuri scrap market. The fire started from the plastic materials and spread till the wires toppling an entire electricity pole on the jhuggis.
A senior police officer said the slum dwellers had a narrow escape as there was a gas-filling godown a few metres away. "I heard people screaming and running to safety and that's how I came to know of the fire," said Narayani, who has been living there for the past 20 years.
Those injured were identified as Satish (34), Jagdish (30) and Girvan (25). While Satish and Jagdish received burns during rescue operation, Girvan was hurt after a wall collapsed on him while escaping. The rest of the slum dwellers were shifted to a park and tents set up for them.
Various NGOs were roped in to provide food and water to the victims. Meanwhile, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) is setting up toilets for them.
"An inspection was carried out by the FSL team and the fire department. An electrical inspector, too, will visit the area. In case of any foul play, legal action will be taken and an FIR registered," said Vikramjeet Singh, DCP, outer.