Delhi Vivek Vihar Fire Kills Nine, Leaders Express Grief

Image taken from News On Air

A devastating fire broke out early on May 3, 2026, in a four-storey residential building in the Vivek Vihar area of Shahdara, East Delhi, resulting in the deaths of nine people. Several others were injured and rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives. They extended condolences to the families affected and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia payment of two lakh rupees from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each deceased, while the injured will receive 50 thousand rupees each.

Fire Incident and Rescue Efforts

The fire reportedly began around 3:48 AM, rapidly engulfing flats on the second, third, and fourth floors of the building. The ground floor remained unaffected. Emergency services rescued between 10 to 15 residents during the operation, with two individuals sustaining minor injuries and admitted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital.

Initial investigations suggest that an explosion of an air conditioner may have triggered the blaze, though authorities continue to probe the exact cause. The building’s design, including iron grills on windows and a locked terrace, impeded evacuation efforts, contributing to the high casualty count.

Official Responses and Support

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed condolences, describing the incident as extremely heartbreaking. He assured that local administration is providing the highest level of medical care to those injured and prayed for their swift recovery.

Among the confirmed deceased are members of the Jain family: Arvind Jain (60), his wife Anita Jain (58), their son Nishant Jain (35), daughter-in-law Anchal Jain (33), and grandchild Akash Jain, highlighting the profound impact on multiple generations.