Delhi: Massive fire in Balmiki Basti slum cluster brought under control, no casualties reported
Jun 22, 2026
New Delhi [India], June 23 : A massive fire broke out in a cluster of slums behind Maulana Azad Medical College in the Balmiki Basti area of Takia Kale Khan in Delhi late on Monday night, officials said.
According to the Delhi Fire Service, information about the fire was received at around 11.22 pm, following which firefighting teams were immediately rushed to the spot.
Initially, seven to eight fire tenders were deployed. However, as the intensity of the blaze increased, additional fire tenders were pressed into service, taking the total number of vehicles at the site to 24.
Speaking to ANI, Mukesh Verma, Divisional Officer (DO), Delhi Fire Service, said the fire has been completely brought under control.
"At around 11.22 PM, our fire control room received information about a fire in some slums behind Maulana Azad Medical College. Seven to eight vehicles were immediately dispatched. However, as the intensity of the fire increased, the number of vehicles was increased, and currently, 24 vehicles are present at the scene. The fire has been completely brought under control," Verma said.
"Based on preliminary information, we have no information about any casualties," he added.
Verma said that the affected area included residential slums as well as storage facilities.
"This area included some residential slums, some storage facilities, and we saw plywood storage. The presence of a large amount of wooden material and temporary structures caused the fire to spread quickly," Verma said.
Further details are awaited.
Earlier on Monday, another fire broke out at a coaching centre located in the Aliganj area of Lucknow, resulting in the death of at least 15 students and injuries to several others. The fire reportedly broke out at a building housing a library and a computer training institute.
According to eyewitnesses, panic gripped the building after the blaze erupted, prompting some occupants to attempt to escape through windows and other exits. One individual reportedly jumped from the building and sustained serious injuries. Authorities are yet to ascertain the exact cause of the fire, and investigations into the incident are currently underway.
