NEW DELHI: At least six people, including two children, were hospitalised following a fire that broke out in the ground floor of their building in Delhi’s Shahdara in the wee hours of Monday. The blaze, reportedly caused by a short circuit while an e-rickshaw was being charged, led to heavy smoke inhalation among the residents.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Prashant Gautam said they received a PCR call around 3:50 am at Farsh Bazaar police station regarding the fire. Emergency teams rushed to the spot at Vishvas Nagar in Shahdara.
The injured have been identified as Sunny (38), Jyot (32), Naina (30), Jyoti (22) and two girls aged six and seven.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire was triggered due to an electrical short circuit during the charging of an e-rickshaw.
“The incident took place when the family was sleeping in the room adjacent to where the e-rickshaw was being charged. They were suffocated by the heavy smoke. One person, identified as Sunny, received minor burn injuries in the blaze,” the DCP said.
All the six members of the family were initially taken to Dr Hedgewar Hospital and later referred to GTB Hospital for further treatment.
“Sunny received 5-10 per cent burn injuries, while the others did not suffer visible external injuries. However, the condition of two women—both named Jyoti—is said to be critical due to excessive inhalation of smoke,” the officer said.
Meanwhile, a case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further investigation is underway.