Three Dead in Delhi Fire Incident

A shocking case of alleged arson has come to light in southeast Delhi’s Tughlakabad area, where a minor girl is accused of setting fire to a five-storey residential building in the early hours of June 12, leading to the death of three people. Police have arrested the girl along with three adults, including a woman who allegedly instigated the act over a financial grudge.

CCTV footage reviewed during the investigation proved crucial. It captured the minor entering the building premises shortly before the blaze erupted. Moments after she exited, an explosion occurred, rapidly engulfing vehicles parked on the ground floor. Officials said the fire then spread upwards through the structure.

CCTV Footage Triggers Breakthrough

According to police, the minor confessed during questioning that Sarita, a 27-year-old resident of Girinagar in Govind Puri, had pushed her to commit the act. Sarita reportedly provided the girl with petrol and matches, directing her to target a scooter belonging to Deepak, who lived on the fifth floor. The dispute reportedly stemmed from a money-related issue.

Sarita is said to have acted on the instructions of two other individuals — Niranjan (33) and his brother Rajkumar (27). The trio allegedly hatched the plan to settle a personal vendetta. All four accused have been arrested and further investigation is underway.

Timeline of the Midnight Blaze

Emergency calls reporting the fire poured in between 2:35 am and 2:37 am on Thursday. Fire tenders rushed to the spot, but thick smoke and flames made rescue operations challenging. Firefighters had to cut open the roof lock and use ladders to reach trapped residents. The fire was finally brought under control around 3:45 am.

Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene. “Vehicles parked on the ground floor started exploding one after another,” one neighbour told reporters. “We rushed with water but the flames were too intense.” Some residents were rescued from the rear side of the building. Locals used sarees to help people climb down and even cut through security grilles to evacuate trapped girls.

Rescue Efforts and Casualties

Three people — one man and two women — lost their lives in the incident. Six others were safely rescued. Around 20 to 22 people from nine families were believed to be inside the building when the fire broke out late at night. Many were asleep at the time.

Fire department officials confirmed that the initial blaze originated in the vehicles before spreading to upper floors. Rescue teams worked swiftly despite difficult conditions, managing to save several lives before the situation worsened.

Impact on Local Residents

The incident has left the Tughlakabad neighbourhood shaken. Many families in the densely populated area expressed fear over safety in residential buildings, especially with vehicles often parked in open or semi-open spaces. Local residents have called for stricter monitoring and better fire safety compliance in such structures.

Police are now examining the exact sequence of events and collecting additional evidence, including forensic analysis of the scene. The minor’s involvement has added a sensitive layer to the case, with authorities expected to handle her as per juvenile justice norms while pursuing the adult conspirators vigorously.

This Tughlakabad fire incident highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in urban residential areas where personal disputes can escalate dangerously. As investigations continue, questions are being raised about how such planned acts of arson could be prevented in the future through better community vigilance and quicker response mechanisms.