Six rescued from blaze at shopping complex in central Delhi’s Paharganj

Police said two officers lifted a heavy stone and smashed through an iron grill at the rear of the building, creating an opening through which the night guard was pulled to safety

By: Express News Service

New Delhi | September 7, 2025 05:25 AM IST

2 min read

A preliminary inquiry suggests the fire was triggered by an electrical short circuit, officers said

Six people were rescued from a midnight fire that broke out inside a wholesale shopping complex in Central Delhi’s Paharganj on Friday, police said. All the rescued individuals were taken to a nearby hospital for medical examination, and no major injuries were reported, officers added.

Police said a PCR call regarding the fire was received at the Paharganj police station around 2.06 am. Officers rushed to the scene at E Block of the flatted factory complex in Jhandewalan. Seven fire tenders were deployed to contain the blaze.

“The building is a wholesale shopping complex, which usually closes around 10.30 pm. However, on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, due to urgent parcel work, five employees were working late. The workers were trapped on the upper floors, along with the night guard, when the fire broke out. According to the night guard’s statement, the fire originated near the exit gate of the building, which blocked the passage and left the six of them trapped inside. The blaze started on the ground floor, and dense smoke soon engulfed the premises,” said DCP Central, Nidhin Valsan.

A preliminary inquiry suggests the fire was triggered by an electrical short circuit, officers said. Those rescued were identified as Sagar (40), Santosh (45), Aniruddh (51), Chhotu (18), Dev (22), and Sunny.

Police said two officers lifted a heavy stone and smashed through an iron grill at the rear of the building, creating an opening through which the night guard was pulled to safety. The remaining five workers were brought down with the help of fire services and evacuated from the complex, officers added.

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