At least 27 people died in a fire in a commercial building near Mundka Metro Station in New Delhi, India, on Friday, emergency services said.
Dozens of people have been rescued and firefighters are now cleaning up after the fire, police said. More than 30 fire engines as well as ambulances were still at the scene late into the night.
“The fire has been put out now,” a fire department official told AFP. “The total number of dead is 27. [The] search operation is on.”
The building was a four-storey structure mostly comprised of office space.
The blaze began on the first floor of the building, which housed the offices of a security camera and router manufacturing company, NDTV quoted police official Sameer Sharma as saying.
The Indian Express newspaper said two owners of the firm have been detained for questioning while The Times of India reported that the owner of the building had also been taken into custody.
Atul Garg, director of Delhi Fire Services, said the building had not been inspected by the fire department and was not equipped with fire safety equipment such as extinguishers.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his sorrow over the loss of life and wished “the injured a speedy recovery”.
Fires are common in India due to poor building practices, overcrowding and a lack of adherence to safety regulations.
The Indian capital of 20 million people is currently suffering through a heatwave, with temperatures of up to 46°C recorded in some places.
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
The specs
Engine: 0.8-litre four cylinder
Power: 70bhp
Torque: 66Nm
Transmission: four-speed manual
Price: $1,075 new in 1967, now valued at $40,000
On sale: Models from 1966 to 1970
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 420 bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: from Dh293,200
On sale: now
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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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