Firefighters mounted an overnight operation in a congested Tughlakabad lane after reports of residents trapped inside a multi-storey building engulfed by flames.
A blackened corridor and burnt vehicles are seen inside the Tughlakabad building where a fire broke out in the early hours of Friday, killing three people and injuring several others. | ANI video grab
Three people lost their lives after a major fire broke out in a multi-storey building in Delhi’s Tughlakabad area during the early hours of Friday, prompting a large-scale rescue operation by the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), officials said.
The incident triggered an overnight emergency response as firefighters rushed to evacuate residents reportedly trapped inside the five-storey structure. The rescue operation, carried out in a congested lane, helped save six people, while several others were shifted to hospital for treatment.
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According to officials, the blaze erupted in a building located in Gali No 1 near Naya Tara Apartment on Madhyam Marg. The property comprises a ground floor and five upper floors and is situated in a narrow street, making firefighting and evacuation efforts difficult.
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The Delhi Fire Service received multiple distress calls between 2:35 am and 2:37 am, reporting a fire and people trapped inside the building.
In response, fire officials deployed three water tenders, two water bowsers, a breathing support unit and a Quick Response Vehicle. An additional light fire unit was later sent to the spot after more emergency calls were received.
#WATCH | Delhi: Three people died after a massive fire broke out in a building in Tughlakabad Extension area during the early hours of Friday. Visuals from the spot. https://t.co/KqSJGbqTEO pic.twitter.com/dY9aQl5rgE
— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2026
Residents living near the building said local people rushed to the spot after noticing the fire and tried to help those trapped inside before emergency teams arrived.
A woman living opposite the building said residents used sarees to help occupants climb down from upper floors and cut through safety grilles at the rear of the structure to rescue those trapped inside.
“We saw vehicles exploding on the ground floor. The entire neighbourhood came together to help. We rescued people from the back, using sarees to help them climb down and cutting through the safety grilles to get some of the girls out,” she said.
The resident claimed that several people were injured in the incident and identified one of the deceased as Pankaj, who she said lived on the fourth floor.
#WATCH | Delhi: A local resident recounts the harrowing moments of a late-night fire incident in the national capital, describing how the neighborhood united to rescue trapped individuals using sarees and cutting through safety grills.
She says, “We live right across the street.… https://t.co/RrjR9QTS7o pic.twitter.com/obk0mpdNlD
— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2026
Officials said six people were rescued by DFS personnel and shifted to a nearby hospital with the assistance of the Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS).
Earlier, at least eight injured persons were evacuated from the building and taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre for treatment, according to the fire department.
The firefighting and rescue operation was led by Assistant Divisional Officer Yashwant Singh Meena along with Station Training Officer Mukul Bhardwaj, Station Officer Samarth Lal and Station Officer Raj Kumar.
Preliminary information from the fire department suggested that the fire may have originated in vehicles parked within the premises.
Firefighters launched rescue operations after receiving reports that multiple occupants were trapped inside the building. The fire was brought under control by around 3:45 am, officials said.
The DFS issued a stop message at 4 am after firefighting operations were completed. Rescue efforts, however, continued after the blaze had been contained, leading to the evacuation of one more person from the building.
The cause of the fire is yet to be officially established.
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