New Delhi: The tragic fire that broke out at a footwear shop in Tigri Extension on Saturday evening claimed the lives of four people. The shop owner, Satyendra alias Jimmy, and several members of his family were fortunately away from home at the time, narrowly escaping the blaze. Anita’s children, aged 11 and 15, were also attending tuition classes when the incident occurred.
Two Victims Yet to Be Identified
While Anita’s sister, Mamta, survived after suffering severe burns and is undergoing treatment in hospital, the identities of two of the deceased victims remain unknown. Police suspect they were customers who had come to view footwear. It is believed that the victims may have been residents of the nearby area.
Fire Investigation and Safety Measures
The ground floor of the building housed the shop, while the first floor was occupied by the shop owner’s family. Anita and her sister Mamta were living on the second floor. Witnesses said Mamta jumped from the second floor when the flames erupted.
Satyendra’s brother, Jitendra, said the fire was so intense that flames reached outside the shop. Neighbors joined in efforts to control the fire, but the blaze could not be contained until the fire department arrived. By then, three people had died in the shop, and Anita later succumbed to her injuries in hospital.
Cause of the Fire
Reports of illegal petrol storage at the shop were dismissed by Satyendra’s cousin, Manish Gupta. According to him, the fire started due to a short circuit in an old refrigerator on the ground floor. The presence of shoes, leather, and plastic materials caused the fire to spread rapidly, engulfing the building.
Police and forensic teams collected evidence from the site on Sunday, and the post-mortem for all victims is scheduled for Monday. Beat constables have been asked to gather information about potential missing persons in the area. The incident has left the community shocked and mourning the tragic loss of life.