Labour Settlements Near Delhi’s Udyog Bhawan Gutted In Massive Fire, No Casualties

Around 200 structures burned in a fire massive fire that broke out in a cluster of temporary tin-sheds for labourers near Udyog Bhawan in Central Delhi early on Wednesday, a Delhi Fire Services official said, according to PTI. The DFS received a distress call at 3:02 AM which informed them of a fire in an electric panel near the temporary settlement.

Major firefighting operations were required to put out the inferno, which blazed through the densely-packed cluster, the official quoted by PTI, said. The tin-shed rooms caught in the blaze were near Udyog Bhawan, one of the most high-profile areas in the city.

This area has been undergoing an ambitious redevelopment programme. Work had commenced on the demolition of Udyog Bhawan earlier. The building,

which was constructed in the late 1950s, was being demolished after the demolition of the neighbouring Nirman Bhawan.

The firefighting operation which began with only two water tenders had to be scaled when the effort could not prevent the fire from spreading further. Ultimately, 19 fire-fighting vehicles were engaged. Water tenders, water bowsers, and other specialised units had to be brought into service.

Finally, the fire could be brought under control only around 5:30 AM in the morning. The blaze engulfed around 200 temporary labour accommodations, officials said.

So far, no information regarding any injuries or casualties have come to fore. It is yet to be ascertained what caused this fire.

(With PTI inputs)