New Delhi [India], May 3 (ANI): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday expressed deep sorrow over the loss of nine lives in a devastating fire that broke out in a residential building in the Vivek Vihar area of Shahdara in the national capital.

In a post on X, the Delhi Chief Minister conveyed her condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident.

'The fire incident in a building in Vivek Vihar is extremely tragic. The loss of 9 lives in this accident has left me deeply distressed. Treatment of the injured in the accident is ongoing at the nearest hospital, and I pray for their swift recovery. In this hour of grief, my condolences are with the affected families. I pray to God to grant them the strength to endure this difficult time,' the Delhi CM wrote

https://x.com/gupta_rekha/status/2050802228697727484?s=20

She further stated that all senior officials from the local administration, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Delhi Fire Service, and Delhi Police are actively engaged in relief and rescue operations.

'All senior officials of the local administration, DDMA, Delhi Fire Service, and Delhi Police are fully engaged with utmost promptness in relief and rescue operations. The situation is being continuously monitored, and every possible assistance is being ensured for those affected. Our local MLA and municipal councillors are also extending their support in the relief efforts. The Delhi government stands firmly with the affected families in every situation during this difficult time,' she added.

According to Delhi Police, the fire broke out early Sunday morning in a four-storey residential building in Vivek Vihar, resulting in the death of nine people and leaving at least one person injured.

Police said that five members of a family residing on the second floor lost their lives. The deceased have been identified as Arvind (60), his wife Anita Jain (58), their son Nishant Jain (35), daughter-in-law Anchal Jain (33) and their one-and-a-half-year-old grandson, Master Akash Jain.

From the first floor, Shikha Jain (45) succumbed to the incident.

Another family residing on the third floor also lost their lives in the tragic incident. The deceased include Nitin Jain (around 50 years), his wife Shailey Jain (around 48 years), and their son Samyak Jain (approximately 25 years).

One injured individual, identified as Naveen Jain (48), is currently undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital, officials said.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Shahdara, Sanjay Goyal, also expressed grief over the incident. He stated that a short circuit is suspected to be the primary cause of the fire, which broke out in a building located in Block B of Vivek Vihar and rapidly spread across all four floors, leading to the casualties.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the exact cause of the fire, while rescue and relief efforts remain ongoing. (ANI)