A tragic incident unfolded in North West Delhi early Thursday morning, claiming the life of a teenager. A massive fire broke out in the densely populated Bangali Basti Jhuggi cluster in Rithala village around 4:15 AM. While fire officials managed to bring the blaze under control by 6:30 AM, the fire left a trail of destruction, rendering many families homeless and causing significant property loss.
Details of the Victim and Incident
The victim has been identified as 17-year-old Rozina Khatun, daughter of Hanaf Laskar. According to officials, her charred body was recovered from the debris after cooling operations and sent to the BSA Hospital mortuary. The area is heavily populated by migrant laborers from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
Delhi Fire Services (DFS) officer SK Dua categorized the fire as medium intensity but noted that it spread rapidly. The presence of flammable materials like plastic sheets and wood, combined with the close proximity of the huts, made the situation critical very quickly. This marks the second fatal fire in this cluster within the last four months.
Police Action and FIR Details
The Delhi Police have registered a formal case regarding the incident. FIR No. 85/26 has been filed at the Budh Vihar Police Station. The authorities have invoked several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Legal sections applied include:
- Section 287: Negligent conduct regarding fire or combustible matter.
- Section 125(a): Act endangering the life or personal safety of others.
- Section 106: Causing death by negligence.
Extent of Damage and Rescue Operations
The fire destroyed over 100 shanties, leaving residents with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Many reported losing vital identity documents and life savings. The flames also reached a nearby godown containing paper rolls and cardboard, which further fueled the fire. Residential flats near the slum also suffered minor damage to doors and windows.
Emergency response was swift, with massive resources deployed to the site:
- Fire Tenders: Between 18 to 29 fire tenders were pressed into service.
- Medical Aid: Around 10 ambulances were stationed to handle casualties.
- Evacuation: Police and PCR teams successfully evacuated hundreds of people, preventing a higher death toll.
