- Dozens of fire engines called as fire breaks out in the Vasant Kunj slum cluster in southern New Delhi
- About 500 homes were destroyed, leaving more than 1,000 people homeless
- Cause of the fire is not yet determined, although though likely to be a spark from an illegal electricity cable
Up
to eight people have been injured and more than 500 homes destroyed
after a massive fire tore through an area of South Delhi.
Dozens
of fire engines were called to the Vasant Kunj slum cluster, and spent
two hours battling the flames before they were finally able to get them
under control.
By
the time the fire was out, more than half of the thatched huts in the
neighborhood had been destroyed, leaving great mountains of smouldering
debris - including plastic bottles, tarps, rubber tires and scraps of
wood.
A woman holds her children outside their
burnt-out home. Flames ripped through the area of New Delhi this
morning, destroying nearly 500 thatched huts
The cause
of the fire is not yet known, but it seems likely to have been started
either by someone cooking on charcoal in one of the cramped alleyways,
or by electrical short circuit from the many thousands of illegal power connections.
Fanned by a breeze, the fire gained momentum once it hit an open yard area filled with dry wood and plastic.
It spread further as gas cylinders kept inside the thatched huts for cooking began exploding.
Seven people were taken to hospital to
be treated for smoke inhalation or burn wounds, although there have been
no reported fatalities, according to fire department official Shyam
Lal.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung visited the spot and inspected
the relief and rescue operations there.
"As the jhuggis were made of
combustible material, the fire spread very quickly. The area was also
used as a dump by its residents as many of them were rag-pickers.
Plastic and other garbage kept by them in an open yard also fuelled the
fire," Director of Delhi Fire Service, A.K. Sharma said.
Meanwhile, an
alert police constable managed to avert another major fire tragedy at
central Delhi's Bengali market.
Although the constable managed to save
the lives of six youths who were sleeping there, some shops were gutted
in the fire.
A pharmacy store and a general store are among the damaged
shops.
Twelve fire tenders took about two hours to douse the flames.
Tears: A man weeps as he sits amidst the remains
of his home.
Dozens of fire engines were called to the Vasant Kunj slum
cluster in south New Delhi shortly after 8.30am this morning, and spent
two hours battling the flames before they were finally able to get them
under control
Lost: This man is hunting for his belongings in
the remains of his home. About 500 slum dwellings in the area were
destroyed, although no fatalities have been reported
Gutted: By the time the fire was out, more than
half of the thatched huts in the desperately poor neighborhood had been
destroyed, leaving great piles of rubble and corrugated iron
Despair: Indian men sit near the remains of
their home after the fire broke out in a slum area of New Delhi. 35 fire
engines and 15 ambulances attended the scene
Fire: The cause of the fire is not yet known,
but it seems likely to have been started either by someone cooking on
charcoal in one of the cramped alleyways, or by electrical short circuit
from the many thousands of illegal power connections (seen in the
distance)
Hopeless: A group of men stand and look at the
remains of 500 homes in Vasant Kunj slum in southern New Delhi.
Thousands of people are thought to have been left homeless as a result
of the fire
A family eats a meal near the remains of their
burnt-out home. Slum fires are usually sparked by charcoal cooking or
electrical short circuits from the many thousands of illegal power
connections. The majority of slum areas in India are built illegally
without any safety standards
Chaos: A man stands outside his destroyed home
and observes the devastation around him. Delhi's Lieutenant Governor
Najeeb Jung visited the site shortly after the flames were doused and
ordered the building of emergency medical camps
Future: Mr Jung demanded the construction of
temporary overnight shelters offering clean drinking water and basic
food parcels, and hinted that those caught up in the fire may well be
eligible for compensation
Aid: Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung
said rescue workers needed to draw in more staff to ensure any remaining
residents who have not yet sought help - especially women and children -
are able to receive treatment
Battle: Fanned by a breeze, the fire gained
momentum once it hit an open yard area filled with dry wood and plastic.
It spread further as gas cylinders kept inside the thatched huts for
cooking began exploding
Scene of devastation: Seven people
were taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation or burn
wounds, although there have been no reported fatalities, according to
fire department official Shyam Lal
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