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Delhi Fire That Killed 21
New Delhi: A devastating fire at Lemon Green Restaurant in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area on Wednesday morning has claimed at least 21 lives and left several others injured. Thick black smoke engulfed the multi-storey building in the Hauz Rani locality, triggering panic and a large-scale emergency response.
The Delhi Fire Service received the alert around 9:45 am and immediately dispatched multiple fire tenders to the site. Firefighters launched rescue operations as people were believed to be trapped inside the building.
Amid the chaos, residents from the surrounding area rushed to help before emergency teams fully took control. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as trapped individuals attempted to escape from upper floors of the burning structure.
Wasim Raj, a local resident, said the building was already heavily engulfed when people reached the spot. In a desperate attempt to save lives, residents brought mattresses and laid them on the ground to cushion those jumping from higher floors.
He recalled that several people jumped from the second and third floors to escape the flames. Another resident, Israr Khan, said locals worked alongside fire officials, assisting in rescue efforts and helping shift injured victims to hospitals.
Residents also reported moments of intense relief during the operation, including the rescue of a child who had jumped from an upper floor. Locals remained at the site for hours, helping emergency responders evacuate survivors and control panic in the area.
Fire officials later confirmed that multiple people were rescued and taken to nearby hospitals as operations continued well after the blaze was contained.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of people present inside the building at the time of the incident. Preliminary reports suggest a possible short circuit may have triggered the fire, though a detailed investigation is underway.
Delhi Police and fire department teams are examining the site to determine the cause and assess whether safety lapses contributed to the tragedy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and announced ex-gratia compensation for victims’ families. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena also extended condolences and assured support for those affected.
A full investigation report is expected in the coming days.
