Fire engulfs five-storey building near Rithala Metro Station

New Delhi

A devastating fire broke out at a chemical factory in the Rithala area of Delhi’s Rohini Sector-5 on Tuesday evening, claiming four lives and injuring at least three others. The blaze erupted in a five-storey building located near the Rithala Metro Station, prompting an emergency response from the Delhi Fire Services, which deployed 16 fire tenders to control the inferno.

The Delhi Police said a PCR call was received at Budh Vihar Police Station around 7:29 pm, reporting that several people were trapped inside a burning building at Rana Complex, Gate No. 2, Rithala. Emergency teams, along with fire personnel, rushed to the scene. The building, which houses multiple manufacturing units, was engulfed in flames, and thick smoke made rescue efforts challenging.

According to police officials, four charred bodies have been recovered from the site so far. Three injured persons were rescued and rushed to BSA Hospital. They were identified as Nitin Bansal (31) and Rakesh (30), both of whom sustained 80 percent burn injuries, and Virender (25), who suffered minor burns. Nitin and Rakesh were later referred to RML Hospital for advanced treatment.

Initial investigations suggest that the ground and first floors of the building were being used to manufacture readymade and plastic bags by Nitin Bansal, son of the building’s owner, Suresh Bansal. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, and search operations are still underway to check for any additional trapped individuals.

Authorities have launched a detailed inquiry into the incident, and fire safety compliance of the units is also under scrutiny. The tragedy has sparked concerns over industrial safety practices in densely populated areas of the capital.