Fire at old age home in Delhi; two elderly women killed

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Two elderly women were killed in a fire that broke out at an old age home in the Greater Kailash-2 area in the National Capital on Sunday morning, fire officials said.

The deceased were identified as Kanchan Arora, 86, and Kamal, 92). While the two women were killed, 17 others were safely rescued from the centre engulfed by raging flames.

Among the inmates rescued by the Fire Department are Avatar Kaur (86), Sarifa (59), Alizabeth (69), Nayan Saha (89).

According to the information, the Fire Department got a call about the fire at around 5.15 am after which four fire engines were rushed to the spot.

“The fire was on the second and third floor of the building. An old age care centre was being run there. Two persons were killed in the incident and many were rescued from the site,” the fire official said.

 Meanwhile, a local police team also reached the spot and helped the firefighters in the rescue operation.

The police said that around 17 injured were taken to a nearby hospital by them. “The fire was completely controlled around 7 am,” the officials added.

The cause of the fire was not yet known while a short circuit was suspected.

After the fire incident, the police said they will check the fire no objection certificate (NOC) of the centre.

Chandan Chowdhary, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) said they were verifying the NOC.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), on Sunday, issued a notice to the Delhi Police in connection with the death of two elderly women in the fire incident.

Taking suo moto cognizance of the media reports, the DCW has sought a detailed report on the fire incident by January 6.

“As per the media reports, a fire incident occurred in an old age home in the morning of January 1 wherein two elderly women, aged 82 and 92, died and several others were injured…it is a very serious and painful matter. In view of the above, the commission has asked to provide the detailed copy of the FIR registered in the matter…and the details of the person(s) responsible for the negligence in the matter,” said the notice.

The commission in the notice has asked, “Whether the person(s) responsible for the negligence have been arrested? If not, please provide reasons for the same.

“Whether the home had the necessary license(s) from the Department of Social Welfare/Women and Child Department/ Health Department? If yes, please provide a copy of the same. Whether the home had clearance from the Fire Department? If yes, please provide a copy of the same.”

The commission has also asked for a copy of the inquiry report conducted in the matter.

“Considering the gravity of the matter please provide the sought information to the Commission latest by 06.01.2023,” the DCW has asked Delhi Police.