NEW DELHI — A devastating fire tore through a four-story residential building in East Delhi’s Vivek Vihar early Sunday morning, claiming the lives of at least nine people, including a one-and-a-half-year-old child. The blaze, which erupted while residents were asleep, is suspected to have been triggered by a massive air conditioner (AC) blast.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the Shahdara district, highlighting the hidden dangers of electrical appliances during the peak of the summer season.

Timeline of the Disaster

The quiet of Vivek Vihar Phase-I was shattered at approximately 3:47 AM on May 3, 2026, when the fire first broke out.

• The Spark: Preliminary reports suggest an AC unit on the second floor exploded, quickly igniting curtains and wooden furniture before spreading to the upper levels.

• The Response: The Delhi Fire Service dispatched 14 fire tenders to the location.

• The Struggle: Firefighters battled the inferno for over five hours. While the blaze was brought under control by 6:25 AM, it was not fully extinguished until after 8:00 AM.

• The Rescue: Emergency teams managed to pull between 12 and 15 people from the smoke-filled flats.

Families Devastated

The casualties were concentrated among two families residing on the upper floors. The victims were found across different levels of the building:

Two survivors are currently being treated for minor injuries at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital.

Structural Challenges & Investigation

Rescue operations were hampered by the building's architecture. The presence of flats at both the front and rear of the structure created a "chimney effect," trapping heat and thick black smoke in the central stairwell. Authorities noted that the staircase door on the top floor was locked, which may have prevented victims from reaching the roof to escape the toxic fumes.

Official Reaction

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu have both issued statements expressing deep grief over the loss of life. An official inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact technical cause of the AC failure and to check if the residential building met standard fire safety norms.

"This is an extremely tragic event. Our hearts go out to the families who have lost their loved ones in such a horrific manner."

— Statement from the CM's Office

Safety Tip: With temperatures rising, experts urge residents to ensure their AC units are serviced regularly and to avoid running old units for extended, uninterrupted periods to prevent overheating and electrical shorts.