9 killed in Delhi blaze as suspected AC blast engulfs Vivek Vihar flats

At least nine people were killed and several others injured after a devastating fire ripped through a residential complex in Vivek Vihar, east Delhi, in the early hours of May 3. Preliminary findings suggest a possible air-conditioner (AC) blast may have triggered the blaze, though authorities said the exact cause remains under investigation.

Police identified the deceased as Arvind Jain (60), Anita Jain (58), Nishant Jain (35), Anchal Jain (33), Akash Jain (1), Shikha Jain (45), Nitin Jain (50), Shailey Jain (48), and Samyank Jain (25).

According to officials, a distress call was received at the Vivek Vihar police station at approximately 3:48 am, reporting flames at premises B-13, Vivek Vihar Phase-I. Responding swiftly, local police teams, along with senior officers including the SHO and ACP, reached the spot to find the fire rapidly spreading across the second, third and fourth floors of the building.

A large-scale rescue operation was launched, with 14 fire tenders deployed alongside teams from the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), traffic police, and local law enforcement. Firefighters battled the inferno for hours before bringing it under control by 8:00 am, while cooling operations continued to prevent flare-ups.

During the rescue, over a dozen residents were evacuated to safety. Two individuals with minor injuries were rushed to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital for treatment.

“Subsequently, nine more persons were taken to the hospital and were declared brought dead. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and further investigation is underway,” an official said.

Authorities are examining the circumstances leading to the tragedy, even as efforts remain focused on ensuring safety compliance and extending support to affected residents.