Four killed, two injured in Delhi fire

Four youths have been charred to death and two sustained critical burn injuries after a fire broke out in a southwest Delhi, officials said.

Four youths were charred to death and two sustained critical burn injuries after a fire broke out in a southwest Delhi home early on Wednesday, officials said.

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The incident took place around 3.30 am, when a fire broke out in a house in Gopal Nagar near Najafgarh.

Six labourers identified as Bansi, 22, Mohan Dhan, 23, Sanjeet, 24, Prakash, 25, Rajat, 24, and Moolchand, 32, were sleeping in a small rented room when they were trapped inside.

Police said only Rajat and Moolchand could manage to pull themselves out of the burning one-room house. All were daily wagers from Bihar.

"There was no electricity in the house at that time and they went to sleep leaving a lit candle near their beds laid on ground. The candle may have caused the fire, which soon spread to the entire room," said Abhay Singh, officer in charge of the Najafgarh police station.

Fire Service officials said two fire fighting tenders were pressed into action and the flames doused after one hour.

The victims were admitted to the nearby Ram Tula Ram Hospital.

Police said Bansi, Mohan Dhan, Sanjeet and Prakash were declared dead by the doctors, while Rajat and Moolchand, who sustained 15 per cent and 80 per cent burnt injuries respectively were battling for their lives.

Police said a case was registered and investigations were underway.