Tragic Fire Near Palam Metro Station Claims 9 Lives of a Single Family
A quiet Wednesday morning turned into a nightmare for a family in Southwest Delhi as a massive blaze ripped through a multi-storey building near the Palam Metro Station. The fire, which broke out in a residential-cum-commercial structure at Shri Ram Chowk, claimed the lives of nine family members, leaving the local community in a state of profound shock.
The victims were all part of the family of Rajender Kashyap, who operated a cloth and cosmetic showroom on the lower floors of the five-storey building. While the ground and first floors were dedicated to the business, the family resided on the second and third floors. The deceased include Kashyap’s 70-year-old wife, Laado, their sons Kamal and Parvesh, daughter Himanshi, and daughter-in-law Ashu. The tragedy was made even more harrowing by the loss of three young girls, aged 15, six, and three.
According to emergency responders, the fire spread rapidly, sending thick plumes of black smoke over the congested market area. Nearly 30 fire tenders were deployed to the scene, navigating the narrow lanes to battle the flames and prevent the fire from jumping to adjacent buildings.
In a desperate bid for survival, three family members—Anil (32), Sachin (29), and two-year-old Mitali—jumped from the upper floors. They are currently being treated at Safdarjung Hospital for injuries and burns estimated at 25 percent.
The intensity of the smoke and the layout of the building made rescue operations particularly difficult. Police sources confirmed that while the fire has been extinguished, the interior of the home has been gutted.
Authorities have cordoned off the area to allow forensic teams to conduct a detailed inspection. While the exact trigger for the blaze remains unknown, investigators are looking into potential causes, including short circuits or the presence of flammable materials from the ground-floor showroom. This incident once again highlights the extreme risks faced by residents living in mixed-use buildings within Delhi’s densely packed commercial hubs.
