17 Killed in Delhi and Indore Fires as Major Blazes Hit Ahmedabad and Chandigarh Markets

Devastating fires in Delhi and Indore on Wednesday claimed 17 lives , including several children, while major blazes in busy markets in Ahmedabad and Chandigarh triggered panic and large-scale firefighting operations.

In southwest Delhi’s Palam area, nine members of a family were killed after a massive fire tore through a residential-cum-commercial building near Ram Chowk Market, close to the metro station. The structure housed a cloth and cosmetics showroom on the lower floors, with the family residing above.

Officials said the fire, reported around 7 am, spread rapidly, possibly due to highly flammable materials such as perfumes and beauty products. Among those killed were a 70-year-old woman , her sons, daughters-in-law, and three young children. Several family members were away at the time.

In desperate rescue attempts, some occupants jumped from upper floors . At least three people were injured, including two who leapt to escape the flames. Around 30 fire tenders, 11 ambulances , and teams from police, NDRF and other agencies were deployed. The blaze was brought under control after several hours, followed by cooling operations.

Eyewitnesses described thick black smoke and frantic rescue efforts by locals, who tried to break windows and walls to reach those trapped. Some residents alleged delays due to technical issues, though authorities have not confirmed this. The exact cause remains under investigation.

Expressing grief, Narendra Modi announced ex gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the PM National Relief Fund.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu ordered a comprehensive fire audit , while Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced a magisterial inquiry into the incident.

In a statement, Gupta said she was “deeply saddened by the tragic fire incident in Palam” , calling the loss of innocent lives heartbreaking. She extended condolences to the bereaved families and said the government stands firmly with them, assuring all possible support.

The Delhi government also announced financial assistance of ₹10 lakh for families of deceased adults, ₹5 lakh for minors, and ₹2 lakh for the seriously injured .

In Madhya Pradesh’s Indore, eight members of a family died after a fire broke out at a three-storey house in Brajeshwari Annex Colony. Police said the blaze was triggered by an explosion at an EV charging point outside the house, which caused a parked car to catch fire.

Investigators found 10–11 LPG cylinders inside the house, and explosions from some of them intensified the blaze. The victims included children, elderly persons and other family members. Three people were rescued by breaking the building’s grille.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav termed the incident “extremely heartbreaking” and ordered a detailed probe. The state government also announced plans to frame a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for EV charging safety , highlighting concerns over emerging risks.

Meanwhile, in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad, a major fire engulfed over 25 shops in a wholesale cloth market in the Kalupur area. Fire officials said the blaze spread quickly due to large quantities of fabric, though no casualties were reported . Around 36 fire tenders were deployed to control the flames.

In Chandigarh, another fire broke out in a shop in Sector 22, one of the city’s busiest commercial hubs. The blaze spread to adjoining shops, reportedly intensified by the presence of chemicals and electronic goods. More than 15 fire tenders were pressed into service, with additional support called from nearby Mohali. No casualties have been reported so far.

The series of incidents has raised fresh concerns over fire safety compliance , storage of flammable materials, and risks linked to EV charging infrastructure in densely populated areas. Authorities have ordered investigations across all locations as firefighting teams continue to monitor the affected sites.