PM Modi condoles loss of life in Delhi fire, announces ₹2 lakh ex-gratia for kin of dead

Nine people died after fire ripped through a four storied residential building in Delhi's Vivek Vihar on Sunday morning.

Updated on: May 3, 2026, 22:05:04 IST

Edited by Sana Fazili

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the loss of lives in fire incident that left nine dead in Delhi's Vivek Vihar on Sunday morning. He also announced an ex-gratia relief of ₹2 lakh for the kin of the dead and ₹50,000 for those injured.

“The loss of lives due to a fire mishap in Delhi’s Shahdara district is extremely distressing. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” he wrote on X.

Nine people died after a deadly fire ripped through a four-storied residential building in Delhi's Vivek Vihar on Sunday. The blaze was reported in the early hours, with police saying a PCR call was received at 3:48 am at Vivek Vihar police station. Delhi Fire Services (DFS) officials said they were alerted a minute earlier, at 3:47 am, and rushed multiple teams to the spot. A total of 14 fire tenders were deployed by 5 am.

Also read: A restaurant owner, toddler, 5 of a family: What we know about Vivek Vihar fire victims

Home minister Amit Shah also expressed grief over loss of lives in the Delhi fire tragedy, suspected to be caused by an AC blast. “The fire incident in Vivek Vihar, Delhi, is extremely heartbreaking. My condolences are with those who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy. May God grant strength to the grieving families to bear this sorrow,” Shah wrote on X, adding that the local administration is providing the highest level of medical facilities to the injured.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Rajendra Prasad Meena noted that flats located at both the front and rear of the building made access difficult for firefighters.

The youngest of the fire victims is a 1.5-years-old toddler and was found along with four others on the backside of the second floor.

Search operations began only after 8am after the blaze was doused completely.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sana Fazili
Sana started her career in 2018 with News18 and later moved to BoomLive. In the meantime, she thought it was a good idea to share what she learnt, hence took up part-time teaching of journalism course at Jamia Millia Islamia, which she says, she thoroughly enjoyed-not sure if the feeling was mutual. For a year, she also tried her hands at communication roles, only to realise she was more comfortable with news. So, joined HT in September 2025. Not much of a talker, always up for chai and sarcasm. And pun always intended. Her tag line is 'I will figure out, but I need to panic first'Read More

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