Officials said seven fire tenders were deployed to douse the blaze and carry out rescue operations at E Block, Flatted Factory Complex, Jhandewalan, during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.
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A fire broke out late Friday night in a wholesale complex in central Delhi’s Paharganj, from which six people, including a 51-year-old night guard and five workers, were rescued, police said on Saturday.
Officials said seven fire tenders were deployed to douse the blaze and carry out rescue operations at E Block, Flatted Factory Complex, Jhandewalan, during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.
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“The blaze erupted near the exit gate of the building, blocking the way out and leaving people stranded. Police and fire officials then jointly launched a rescue operation,” said Nidhin Valsan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central).
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According to police, the wholesale shopping complex usually closes around 10:30 pm, but five workers were still completing urgent work while the night guard remained on duty when the fire broke out.
“Dense smoke quickly engulfed the premises, trapping all six people on the upper floors,” the officer added.
During the rescue, two police personnel broke an iron grill at the rear of the building using a heavy stone to free the night guard. The five workers were safely evacuated with the help of fire department officials.
All six were taken to nearby hospitals for medical examination. Police confirmed that no major injuries were reported.
Valsan said the incident occurred around 2:06 am on Saturday when a PCR call alerted Paharganj police about the fire. Teams from the police and fire departments rushed to the spot and immediately launched firefighting and rescue operations.
Those rescued were identified as Sagar (40), Santosh (45), Aniruddh (51), Chhotu (18), Dev (22), and Sunny—residents of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
A preliminary probe suggests the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit, police added.
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