20230605 Close to 200 kids and teachers escape unhurt in madrassa fire in Delhi’s Jagatpuri
India Jun 05 2023 “Building” “Schools”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 1 to 29 Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Close to 200 kids and teachers escape unhurt in madrassa fire in Delhi’s Jagatpuri
Updated: 2023-06-05
NEW DELHI: A major tragedy was averted after a fire broke out at a madrassa in east Delhi’s Jagatpuri on Sunday evening. The blaze, which started from the electricity meter board, caused two of the several LPG cylinders kept on the premises to explode.
Firemen, cops and locals rescued 150-200 people, including children, all girls. The occupants were taken to an adjacent building from the rooftop, eyewitnesses said.
While no casualties were reported in the blaze, two firemen sustained injuries after the cylinders exploded. Police have launched a probe. They will try to ascertain why so many LPG cylinders were stashed there and if safety norms were being followed. An FIR has also been registered.
The fire started at 5.41pm, police said. Firemen and cops were informed and 20 fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The five-storey building had a madrassa on the ground floor while the other floors housed the children.
The rescue operation was a challenge for a variety of reasons. While the fire department was informed about the blaze starting from the electric meter, they weren’t told that children were trapped in the building. Officials said the approach road was quite narrow, making it difficult for the fire tenders to make their way in. The cylinders stored on the premises posed a huge risk too. There was just one exit, the officials added.
Delhi Fire Services (DFS) director Atul Garg said the madrassa also had a hostel where over a hundred girls and teachers were present at the time of the incident. “Everyone was rescued. Two cylinder blasts were reported,” Garg added. Municipal councillor of the area, Raju Sai, said he rushed to the spot after being informed about the fire.
A local, Nadeem, said his house was adjacent to the madrassa. “Two cylinder blasts took place in front of us,” he recalled. Another local, Ata-ur-Rehman, said the fire broke out due to a short-circuit. “The kitchen was on the ground floor. The children were studying upstairs,” he said.
Neighbours rushed to help on hearing the children’s cries. All the girls and teachers were asked to go to the roof. Due to excessive smoke and an ensuing powercut, some girls got stuck on the second and third floors. Neighbours showed courage and helped rescue them.
An official from the fire department said due to the vehicles parked in a haphazard manner, the firefighters faced a lot of difficulties in relief and rescue work. Water was supplied for the rescue work by connecting about 200 metres of pipe to the main road.
Fire brigade personnel took out six burnt cylinders from the kitchen. “Two firemen, Pradeep and Riyazuddin, were injured in the cylinder blasts,” an officer said. We came to know that the place was being run by one Mohammad Irfan. We are verifying the documents,” another officer said.
Web Source: The Times of India