A tragic fire incident claimed nine lives in east Delhi’s Vivek Vihar area in the early hours of Sunday. The blaze started around 3:48 am and quickly spread through a four-storey residential building.
According to initial reports and eyewitnesses, the fire may have started due to an air conditioner (AC) blast on one of the lower floors. Within minutes, flames engulfed multiple levels, trapping several residents inside.
Massive rescue operation launched
The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) responded quickly after receiving the emergency call. It sent 14 fire tenders to the spot. More than 80 firefighters worked continuously to control the blaze. After hours of effort, they managed to bring the fire under control by 6:25 am.
During the rescue operation, officials recovered nine badly burnt bodies from different parts of the building. Five victims were found on the second floor, one on the first floor, and three others were discovered in a locked staircase on the upper floors.
At the same time, rescue teams managed to save between 10 and 15 people. Many residents were brought down safely from balconies using ladders. Two people with minor injuries were taken to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital for treatment.
Authorities begin investigation
Soon after the incident, police from the Shahdara district sealed off the area to support rescue and search operations. The team was led by DCP Rajendra Prasad Meena.
Residents reported hearing a loud explosion before the fire spread rapidly through household items. Officials are still searching the top floor for any remaining victims or clues.
“Search on top floor is ongoing… Fire is controlled but a lot of smoke. Firefighters are searching the top floor. Cause of fire will be ascertained following a detailed inspection," the DCP said.
Possible causes under probe
Investigators are currently focusing on the possibility of an AC blast as the main cause. However, they are also examining other factors such as electrical short circuits and the presence of flammable materials inside the flats.
Local councillor Pankaj Luthra stated that DNA testing will be needed to identify the victims because the bodies were severely burnt.
Rising fire incidents linked to heat and AC usage
Although official records do not separately classify “AC blasts,” fire authorities have noticed a sharp increase in such incidents. Data from the Delhi Fire Service shows a major rise in fire cases over the past month.
In April 2026 alone, the city reported more than 2,375 fire emergencies. This marks a 54 percent increase compared to March. On average, fire teams responded to around 120 calls daily, with numbers going up to 200 during extremely hot days.
Officials believe that extreme heat and continuous use of air conditioners are key reasons behind this surge. Many AC units run non-stop during heatwaves, which can overheat compressors and wiring. In some cases, this leads to refrigerant leaks or compressor explosions, often described as “AC blasts.”