Tragic Fire Incident in Delhi's Vishal Mega Mart Claims Young Life

Fire Breaks Out in Karol Bagh Store

A devastating fire erupted on Friday at the Vishal Mega Mart outlet located in Karol Bagh, Delhi, resulting in the tragic death of a 25-year-old man found inside a lift. Authorities reported that Kumar Dhirender Pratap Singh was trapped in the lift when the fire broke out in the four-story building. The blaze consumed clothing, groceries, and various other items within the popular retail chain.

 

To combat the flames, 13 fire engines were dispatched to the scene.

 

Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that the building had only one entrance and exit. The stairways leading to the first and second floors were obstructed by merchandise from the store, complicating efforts to reach the upper levels or ventilate the smoke. Firefighters had to break through an exterior wall to extract the trapped smoke. Unfortunately, due to a power outage during the incident, one individual became trapped in the lift and succumbed to his injuries before help arrived. Cooling operations continued late into the night even after the fire was extinguished.

 

Deputy Chief Fire Officer M.K. Chattopadhyay stated, "We received the fire alert at 6:44 PM. Upon our arrival, the entire building was engulfed in flames. The basement, ground floor, and three upper levels, along with some temporary structures, were ablaze. Our team attempted to enter, but the stairs and emergency exits were completely blocked by store inventory, making access extremely challenging."

 

He further explained, "We had no alternative route to reach the upper floors. The main area affected by the fire was entirely consumed. The third floor, where oil and ghee were stored, posed significant danger. We managed to extinguish the fire in the basement, ground, first, and second floors. The power outage caused the lift to halt, trapping one person inside. We later retrieved him and transported him to the hospital, but sadly, he had already passed away."

 

This incident has raised serious concerns regarding fire safety and emergency preparedness in commercial buildings.

 

#WATCH | Delhi: Firefighting operation underway after a fire broke out in Vishal Mega Mart at Karol Bagh area.

According to Delhi Police, Kumar Dhirender Pratap Singh (25) was found trapped in the lift. He was declared dead on arrival at a hospital. An FIR has been registered… pic.twitter.com/eCU2pf1Lxq

— ANI (@ANI) July 5, 2025