A 25-year-old man died after being trapped in an elevator during a fire at the Vishal Mega Mart departmental store in Delhi’s Karol Bagh on Friday evening. The police confirmed the incident on Saturday. They stated that rescue operations are still ongoing in the four-storey building, as two floors remain filled with dense smoke.
Victim Came in Search of Job, Says Police
The deceased, identified as Kumar Dhirendra Pratap Singh, had reportedly come to the building seeking employment. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Nidhin Valsan said, “He was trapped in the elevator when the fire broke out in the departmental showroom. Initially, it was not clear if he had come to the showroom for job interview or at any other floor.”
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The fire broke out around 6:30 PM in the second-floor outlet of the store, which is located on Padam Singh Road. The Vishal Mega Mart reportedly sold fabric and grocery items in the affected area.
Fire Brought Under Control, Cause Under Investigation
Delhi Fire Services (DFS) chief Atul Garg confirmed that thirteen fire tenders were rushed to the spot from nearby stations. The prompt response aimed to prevent the blaze from spreading further. “The blaze was brought under control before 9 PM,” he said.
“Six fire tenders are at the spot. The fire is under control at the moment. One person is suspected to be missing. Rescue operations are underway,” added DCP Valsan.
Police officials said they are unsure how many people were inside the store when the fire began. While a short circuit is suspected to have triggered the fire, authorities said the exact cause will be determined after a forensic inspection.
Safety Concerns and Rescue in Progress
Even after the fire was doused, two floors in the building remained filled with thick smoke, prompting continued rescue efforts by the fire and disaster response teams.
Authorities have cordoned off the area and are closely monitoring the situation. Further updates are expected once the forensic team completes its examination.