A routine Saturday morning quickly descended into chaos in Northwest Delhi’s Majlis Park when a residential building fire reignited with a sudden LPG cylinder blast. Fourteen people, including three fire officials and three police personnel, were injured in the incident, transforming a controlled emergency response into a scene of panic, shattered glass and screaming residents.
How did the fire unfold?
According to NDTV, the blaze broke out around 9:01 am in the parking area on the ground floor of a four-storey residential building, reportedly due to a short circuit. Three fire tenders were rushed to the spot, with additional units deployed shortly after.
By the time Delhi Fire Services (DFS) teams arrived, locals had already attempted to control the flames. For a brief moment, it seemed the worst had been averted. However, the situation escalated dramatically when an LPG cylinder inside the premises ignited, triggering a blast that reignited the fire and sent flames and debris outward.
The fire spread up to the second floor before it was finally declared “under control” at 10:25 am.
Those injured in the blast
Eight residents sustained injuries: Vishal Raj (40), Rajesh Narayan (39), Jagdeep Singh (54), Sher Khan (32), Deepak Goyal (40), Rahul Raj (43), Pankaj Aggarwal (52) and Pooran Chand (50).
Among the injured were three firefighters. Leading Fireman Suresh Bahal (57), Fire Operator Seeta Ram Meena (29) and Fire Operator Ved Prakash (50), all posted at Wazirpur Fire Station. They suffered burn injuries ranging from 20 to 30 per cent.
The three police personnel include SI Prem Pal, ASI Sandeep, and Constable Rahul. They were also injured during rescue efforts.
All the injured were initially taken to Max Hospital and Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital before being referred to Safdarjung Hospital. Officials said the injured are currently stable.
Also Read | From Pitampura to Madhuban Chowk: Delhi Govt recasts metro map to reflect local identity
Moments of panic and courage
Eyewitness accounts painted a harrowing picture. Yogesh, whose father, Jagdeep, was injured, recalled finding him lying on the street. “I saw my father holding his face and screaming… He is out of danger now. We have never seen anything like this before,” he said.
At Safdarjung Hospital’s burn ward, 28-year-old fireman Saurabh described the moment of impact. “We entered the building thinking it was going to be fine, which is a regular exercise. And then the blast occurred. The glasses burst, the fire spread out, and people started screaming.”
Family members of the injured firefighters echoed a mix of fear and pride. Suresh Bahal’s son, Sachin, said his father has served for 30 years and “lives for the service.” Ved Prakash’s uncle confirmed he was stable and recovering.
Also Read | Delhi Court slams protest as threat to nation's image, sends Youth Congress workers to 5-day police custody
The Majlis Park fire is a stark reminder of how quickly a routine emergency can spiral into a life-threatening disaster. While the blaze was ultimately contained, the injuries to first responders and residents underscore the risks faced during rescue operations and the thin line between control and catastrophe.
