2 children charred in Shalimar Bagh slum cluster fire

Two children were killed while two other kids suffered serious burns when a major fire gutted over 100 dwellings in a slum settlement in Shalimar Bagh in Northwest Delhi on Tuesday.

Two children were killed while two other kids suffered serious burns when a major fire gutted over 100 dwellings in a slum settlement in Shalimar Bagh in Northwest Delhi on Tuesday.

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According to the police, the blaze, which enveloped the slum located in BC block near Kela Godown, was reported around 12.10 pm. Twelve fire tenders sent to the spot doused the flames in an hour.

According to fire officials, they received a call around noon that a major fire had broken out in a few shanties. “After receiving the call, a dozen fire engines were sent to doused the blaze within an hour. Four children were rescued from the blaze by our firemen and were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. Two siblings—Raju (1) and Kajal (2)—were declared dead by the doctors at the hospital while the injured are recuperating,” said a senior fire official.

The police said they were trying to ascertain the reason behind the fire. Police said the deceased were sleeping in their dwelling while the injured children were playing inside their house when the fire broke out.

The occupants of the dwellings immediately vacated their houses and reached a safe spot, however, the four children could not.

A case of fire has been registered at the Shalimar Bagh police station against unknown persons.

Further investigations into the matter are in progress.