Delhi's Malviya Nagar sees fire of 'highest category', 30 fire engines sent

Panic gripped South Delhi's thickly-populated Malviya Nagar after a fire broke out in an illegally-run rubber warehouse on Tuesday evening. Over 40 fire engines were sent to the spot to control the blaze.

Fire began in a truck inside the rubber factory, which is located in the narrow bylanes of Khirki Extension, around 5 pm.

Soon, the fire spread and thick smoke was seen billowing out of the building.

"No casualty has been reported so far and the nearby area has been temporarily evacuated for security reasons," Deputy Commissioner of Police, South East Romil Baaniya, said.

Officials described it as the "highest category" fire even though no casualties were reported.

Reaching the spot proved to be very tough for the fire engines as the lanes in the area are very narrow and congested, officials said. One firefighter has been injured.

"So far, more than forty fire tenders have arrived at the spot. Yet, the fire is continuing even after five hours. That is really scary for us as we do not know how longer it may continue," said Asif Ali, one of the residents of that area.

The fire department also said that there is a real danger of the fire spreading from the godown factory to other nearby areas. The fire has already spread to the residential building next to the godown, but it is said to be empty.

Locals were angry about an illegal warehouse functioning in a residential area, risking the lives of so many people.

"The presence of a warehouse in a residential area is questionable. It's been five hours now and the fire is yet to be doused. That's scary. As far as I know, all the houses in the particular bylane have been evacuated," said Samyam Gupta, another resident.

The buildings in the area were cordoned off and the building was sealed.

The rubber godown is close to Sant Nirankari Public School.

"The fire has spread to an adjacent house and a school too. The fire tenders are taking time to control the fire because they have not been able to enter the narrow bylanes properly. Also, it has been quite windy here for the last two-three hours, which has helped fan the smoke," said Nikhi Singh, a student who lives in the area.

People in the neighbourhood have been advised by the police to evacuate as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, huddles of curious onlookers gathered on both ends of the road to witness the operations of the fire brigade from a distance.