A major fire broke out in a cluster of jhuggis at Mansa Ram Park near the fish market in Uttam Nagar, Delhi, gutting around 80 shanties. This incident has raised concerns in a locality that recently experienced tension following a violent incident during Holi celebrations.

Before this development, the community was recovering from the aftermath of violence that erupted during the Holi festivities, which led to the apprehension of 16 individuals. The recent fire incident has further complicated the situation.

Details of the Fire

The fire was reported at around 11:57 PM on Wednesday, with the fire service receiving information just before that at 11:50 PM. Initial reports indicated that more than 20 fire tenders were deployed to contain the blaze, which later increased to around 28 as the situation escalated.

Firefighters battled the flames for several hours, finally bringing the situation under control at around 3 AM on Thursday. Cooling operations continued for several hours afterward to prevent any fresh flare-ups.

Impact on Residents

Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident, as hundreds of residents managed to escape in time thanks to the swift evacuation efforts carried out by police and firefighters. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Kushal Pal Singh confirmed, “All inhabitants of the shanties were safely evacuated, and the fire brigade was called to the spot.”

In a critical moment, a police officer prevented a potential explosion by moving a locked car fitted with a CNG kit away from the fire, showcasing the quick thinking of emergency responders.

Ongoing Investigations

Authorities confirmed that around 80 shanties were completely destroyed in the blaze, but the exact cause of the fire remains unclear. Details remain unconfirmed, leaving residents and officials seeking answers.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of this fire, the local authorities continue to investigate the incident while addressing the concerns of the affected residents. The situation in Uttam Nagar remains tense as the community seeks to recover from both the fire and the recent violence.

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