March 11, 2024, Anand Vihar, Delhi:
A fire broke out in a slum located on Mangalam Road in the Anand Vihar area late on Monday night, claiming the lives of three contract workers associated with the IGL company. The victims were residing in a temporary tent while working on an ongoing gas pipeline project. The tragic incident was reported to the Anand Vihar police station through a PCR call at 2:42 AM on March 11.
The deceased have been identified as Jage Singh, a resident of Khehra village in Banda district, and two brothers, Shyam Singh and Kanta Prasad, sons of Rampal, from Nawada village in Auraiya district. Another worker, Nitin Singh, escaped but sustained a leg injury.
Fire Traps Workers Inside the Tent
According to initial reports, the workers were living in makeshift slums illegally constructed on DDA land near the Rotary Club office and a nearby drain. The slum was built using wooden plywood and had no electricity. At night, the residents would light a lamp and secure the door with a chain and lock for safety. On the fateful night, a can of diesel was placed on a cooler stand inside the tent, which is suspected to have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
At approximately 2:00 AM, the tent caught fire, likely due to the flammable materials inside. Shyam Singh tried to unlock the chain in a desperate attempt to escape but failed. Meanwhile, Nitin Singh managed to break free, but the other three workers were trapped inside and burnt alive.
Explosion of Gas Cylinder Worsens the Situation
The intensity of the fire was exacerbated when a gas cylinder inside the tent exploded. Fire engines arrived promptly at the scene and managed to douse the flames. The fire brigade, crime team and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) officials, conducted a detailed inspection of the site. The charred remains of the deceased were recovered and sent to the mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
Keep reading questiqa India for the latest news updates and get more news headlines On Our Social Platforms.
