New Delhi: At least 80 families lost their homes after a fire broke out in shanties in Outer Delhi’s Shahbad Dairy. The police received a call about the fire at 4.52 pm and rushed 10 fire tenders along with 60 firefighters to the spot.
According to the fire department, 80 shanties were gutted by the fire, and it took nearly four hours to control the blaze. The police said they are probing the reason behind the incident. A video of the incident shows thick black smoke emanating from the spot.
Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said the materials used for the construction of the JJ cluster are highly combustible and produce toxic gases when exposed to fire. In these areas, residents often store waste rags, chemicals, plastic, and PVC, and the unsystematic layout of the structures leads to rapid fires that can engulf the entire area in a short period. Additionally, high wind speeds exacerbate the situation, further spreading the flames. In several cases, incidents such as cylinder leaks, open burning near shanties, short circuits, all contributed to the outbreak of fires. TNN
