Fire – Massive Blaze Destroys Dozens of Shanties Near Delhi Fish Market

Fire – A large fire late Wednesday night destroyed dozens of makeshift homes in a slum cluster near a fish market in southwest Delhi’s Matiala area. Officials confirmed that although the flames spread rapidly through the settlement, no injuries or fatalities were reported. Authorities said residents were evacuated in time as emergency teams worked through the night to bring the situation under control.

Fire Breaks Out Late at Night

According to the Delhi Fire Service, an emergency call reporting flames in the jhuggi cluster and nearby waste storage units was received at approximately 11:54 pm on Wednesday. Within minutes, fire engines were dispatched to the location to begin firefighting operations.

Police also received a separate PCR alert about the blaze at the Bindapur police station around 11:57 pm. Officers quickly reached the area in Mansaram Park and assisted emergency teams in moving residents away from the burning structures.

Officials said the prompt evacuation ensured that everyone living in the cluster was moved to safety before the fire intensified.

Residents Evacuated as Fire Spreads Rapidly

Deputy Commissioner of Police for Dwarka district, Kushal Pal Singh, confirmed that local police teams coordinated with firefighters to clear the area. According to authorities, residents were guided away from the burning shanties while fire personnel worked to control the spreading flames.

The blaze spread across a large section of land estimated to cover nearly four acres. Fire officials said the fire moved quickly through the densely packed settlement, where most dwellings were built using lightweight and easily combustible materials.

Because of the scale of the fire, multiple fire engines were deployed to the scene.

Dozens of Fire Engines Deployed

Initially, more than 23 fire tenders were pressed into service. As the intensity of the blaze became clearer, additional units were sent to the location, increasing the total number of firefighting vehicles to around 28.

Firefighters battled the flames for several hours. Authorities reported that the fire was finally brought under control at about 3 am on Thursday morning after continuous efforts.

Even after the fire was contained, teams remained at the site conducting cooling operations. These measures are carried out to ensure that hidden embers do not ignite another fire.

Officials confirmed that roughly 80 shanties were destroyed in the incident.

Similar Incident Reported Earlier This Month

Authorities noted that the same location had witnessed a fire earlier in the month. On March 7, emergency services received another call reporting flames at the site. That fire was brought under control with the help of eight fire tenders.

Following the earlier incident, a case was registered at the Bindapur police station. Officials said that the two incidents have raised concerns about recurring fire risks in the area.

Disputed Land and Waste Dumping Issues

Officials from the revenue department informed police that the land where the shanties are located is privately owned. However, the property is reportedly involved in an ownership dispute.

Authorities also stated that complaints had previously been received about illegal dumping of garbage in the vicinity. In some cases, the waste piles had allegedly been set on fire, increasing the risk of accidental blazes.

Large amounts of waste materials, including plastic and other flammable items, were present near the settlement, which may have contributed to the intensity of the fire.

Planned Cleanup Operation Delayed

District authorities had earlier planned a debris removal drive at the location on March 7 under the Kapashera subdivision administration. However, the operation was postponed because of logistical challenges.

Officials said the cleanup initiative will be conducted soon with support from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. The goal is to remove accumulated waste and reduce fire hazards in the area.

Cause of Fire Yet to Be Confirmed

Investigators are still examining the circumstances that led to the blaze. The exact cause has not yet been determined.

A government official said the fire involved heaps of waste material along with the cluster of temporary structures. Many of the shanties were constructed using bamboo frames, plastic sheets, and tarpaulin, all of which are highly flammable.

Authorities said the fire has now been completely extinguished. They also noted that the swift response by firefighters and police helped prevent casualties despite the scale of destruction