A devastating fire swept through a commercial building in central Delhi on Tuesday, killing at least 21 people, including several foreign nationals, according to Indian authorities. The British High Commission confirmed that a consular emergency liaison team has been dispatched to the site to assist with identification and provide support to affected families.
The blaze broke out in the early hours in a multi-storey structure in the congested Karol Bagh district, a densely packed area of shops and residential units. Fire services received the first call around 4:30 a.m. local time and deployed 20 fire engines to the scene. The operation took nearly three hours to bring the fire under control.
Among the dead were citizens from at least three countries, though official details remain unconfirmed. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said it is working with diplomatic missions to verify nationalities and facilitate repatriation. The injured, numbering over a dozen, have been taken to nearby hospitals, with several in critical condition.
The building, known to house a mix of commercial offices and unauthorised residential quarters, lacked proper fire safety measures. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire and whether safety regulations were breached. Witnesses reported hearing explosions, possibly from gas cylinders, which may have accelerated the spread of the flames.
The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stated: “We are providing consular assistance to British nationals and their families following the tragic incident in Delhi. Our thoughts are with all those affected.” The liaison team includes specialist officers trained in disaster response and victim identification.
The incident underscores ongoing concerns about fire safety in Indian urban centres, where overcrowding and regulatory non-compliance are common. Similar tragedies in recent years have prompted calls for stricter enforcement, but progress has been slow.
As the search for survivors continues, rescue teams are combing the debris. The death toll is expected to rise.
