Fire engulfs orphanage in Delhi, two deaths reported

Fire killed two after it engulfed an orphanage in New Delhi on Friday, as the firefighters struggled to douse the raging inferno. The incident took place at around 2.00 a.m. The orphanage, houses around 150 people, including old, mentally challenged and severely ill. Fire tenders immediately reached the spot to douse the blaze.

"After our search, we have found that there are two casualties and we can give you further details only when our investigation is over. The cause of the fire is unknown," said Assistant Divisional Officer, Delhi Fire Services, Ravinder Singh. The raging inferno also resulted in huge loss of property.

The president of the orphanage, Ravi Kalra, said survivors have been shifted to a safe place by rescue teams. "It was an orphanage. Around 150 people, including old, mentally challenged and those who were on death bed, who have been rescued by police, used to live here. Unfortunately, around 2.00 a.m. to 2.15 a.m. a fire broke out and the cause of the fire is still unknown. Two people have died after there was a stampede," said Kalra.

The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Fire safety regulations are lax, rarely implemented and not periodically reviewed in most industries or housing societies across India, which results in the breaking of major fire, resulting in the loss of life and material.