A fire at a wood warehouse in East Delhi’s Dallupura village on Sunday sent thick smoke through the neighbourhood, damaged five rooms of an adjoining house and forced families to flee with children, cooking-gas cylinders and essential belongings, according to a report by Jagran – New Delhi.
The fire broke out at around 3:30 pm and rapidly grew in intensity. Residents said flames rose towards the upper floors of nearby homes while smoke spread across the village, causing coughing, breathing difficulty and severe irritation in people’s eyes. Electricity supply in the area was cut during the response.
Firefighting vehicles were called from about five fire stations. The fire reportedly continued to burn for nearly three hours because of the material stored inside the warehouse. Residents also reported hearing around four explosions during the incident, increasing panic in the densely populated area.
Shubham, who was staying with his family in a rented home adjoining the warehouse, told the newspaper that the explosions occurred one after another. By then, he said, smoke had filled the building and residents could not clearly see the exit. Some people reportedly became unconscious because of smoke and suffocation.
The fire also affected a house next to the warehouse, where five rooms were gutted. Sagun Devi, another resident, said she woke up after hearing people shouting and found her room filled with smoke, with flames reaching the doorway. She reportedly fainted in the panic. Residents also said several children became unconscious because of the smoke and fear.
The incident prompted families in nearby buildings to move gas cylinders and other essential items onto the road. Residents of a house adjoining the warehouse said around 500 tenants lived there. Several families remained outside for about five hours, with some continuing to stand on the road with their children until around 9 pm.
The fire was particularly dangerous because the warehouse was located within a residential setting. Residents said flames reached towards upper floors, including areas where children had been playing. They raised concerns about commercial operations in residential neighbourhoods and the risk that stored combustible material could create for surrounding homes.
The smoke plume remained visible across the area during the evening, while videos of the fire circulated on social media. The report did not provide details of any confirmed fatalities or a formal cause of the fire. Further information on the extent of injuries, property loss and the official investigation remains awaited.
