At least eight people were injured and over a 1,000 hutments reduced to ashes after a fire broke out in a slum cluster in south Delhi's Vasant Kunj area Friday morning, an official said. Two more incidents of fire were reported in the city but there were no casualties.
The fire in the slum cluster was reported at 8.30 a.m. and 35 fire tenders were rushed to the spot, a fire service official said.
"The fire was brought under control in almost two hours," A.K. Sharma, director of Delhi Fire Service, told IANS.
According to Delhi Police, the bursting of about 30 LPG cylinders added fuel to the fire.
"At least 30 LPG cylinders burst which hindered rescue work," said Atul Garg (south in-charge).
The eight people who received minor injuries were admitted to various hospitals.
Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung visited the spot and directed officials to set up medical camps and provide drinking water and food to the affected people, an official statement said. He also announced ex-gratia payment for those affected.
In another incident, fire broke out in a dry-cleaning shop in central Delhi's Bengali Market early Friday morning. The fire soon spread to other shops and by the time the flames were doused, a total nine shops were damaged.
According to the fire department, the blaze was first noticed at 4 a.m. and extinguished by around 6 a.m. with the help of 15 fire tenders.
A fire was also reported from the canteen of the Safdarjung Hospital at 2 p.m. and four fire tenders, rushed to the spot, put it out.
No injuries were reported in both these incidents.
