A blaze engulfed a three-story building in West Delhi’s Mundka, killing at least 27 people and critically injuring several others in one of the city’s worst fires in recent memory. The office space-filled building is close to the Mundka metro station. In a massive rescue operation, more than 50 people were rescued; at least 12 people were injured. The death toll in the tragedy is expected to rise. According to fire chief Atul Garg, the structure lacked a fire clearance certificate or NOC. The proprietor has fled.

1. Firefighting and rescue efforts began immediately after the fire was reported on Friday evening. Officials said the fire started on the first floor of the building, which housed the office of a company that makes CCTV cameras and Wi-Fi routers. Harish and Varun Goel, the firm’s owners, were arrested late last night.

2 “The structure lacked a fire NOC (no-objection certificate). Manish Lakra, who lived on the top floor, was identified as the building’s owner. Lakra is currently missing; teams are on the lookout for him, and he is expected to be apprehended soon “According to news agency ANI, DCP (deputy commissioner of police) Sameer Sharma (outer district) said.

3. The Mundka fire is one of the deadliest fires in the national capital since the Anaj Mandi tragedy in 2019, which claimed 43 lives. Some of the bodies were charred beyond recognition in Mundka, according to fire officials, as the horror and devastation unfolded.

4. The fire was reported to have started around 4:40 p.m. near Mundka metro station pillar number 544. Every day, thousands of people use the Delhi Metro to commute. A preliminary investigation revealed that the building only had one stairwell. People found it difficult to flee because of this. Several people who were on the second floor for a gathering were trapped when the fire broke out.

5. Devastating scenes of despair emerged from the tragedy site, with some people seen jumping from buildings to escape the flames. There was only one staircase, according to reports, making exiting the building difficult.

6. On Saturday morning, a team of NDRF officials was seen at the rescue site. Officials have announced that an investigation into the tragedy will be launched. “Previously, this property housed a car dealership. Several outlets have rented space in the building. The building had a licence to operate a commercial enterprise, to the best of the association’s knowledge,” Sunil Chadha, the general secretary of the Mundka industrial area society, said on Friday.

7. Video from the scene showed smoke billowing from the building’s windows and firefighters assisting those trapped on the upper floors to escape as hundreds looked on.

8. President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi both tweeted their condolences. “Deeply saddened by the deaths caused by a tragic fire in Delhi. My heart goes out to the bereaved families. I wish the injured person a quick recovery. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “(sic).”

9 “The tragic fire accident near the Mundka Metro Station in Delhi has me worried. My sympathies go out to the bereaved families. I wish the injured a speedy recovery “The President sent out a tweet.

10. “Shocked and pained to learn about this tragic incident,” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote on Twitter. I’m always in contact with officers. Our brave firefighters are doing everything they can to put out the fire and save lives. God bless everyone. (sic)”.