A tragic fire incident claimed the life of an elderly woman in the Shaheen Bagh police station area early Wednesday morning. The fire, reportedly caused by a short circuit in the parking area of House No. E-50, filled the building with toxic smoke, leading to chaos and a complex rescue operation.
The Incident
The fire broke out around 4:15 am while residents were asleep. Shahrukh, a neighbour, was the first to spot smoke billowing from the parking area and immediately raised the alarm. As the blaze spread rapidly, the entire house was engulfed in thick smoke. Residents gathered at the scene and the fire brigade was promptly notified.
Rescue Operation
A fire service team arrived at the location at 4:40 am and launched a firefighting and rescue operation. Firefighters reported that the upper floors had become dangerous smoke traps.
Third Floor Rescue: Afroz Iqbal and four members of his family were trapped on the third floor. Due to the severity of the blockage caused by smoke and flames, the fire crew had to break down a wall to extract them safely.
Casualties
Despite the rescue efforts, tragedy struck on the second floor. The 70-year-old mother of resident Aqeel Ahmed was overcome by the dense smoke. She was rescued in a critical condition and rushed to a nearby hospital. However, she succumbed to suffocation while undergoing treatment.
Aftermath And Investigation
An atmosphere of mourning has descended upon the neighbourhood following the death. The police have registered a case and have launched an investigation into the incident. Preliminary findings support the initial theory that a short circuit in the parking area triggered the blaze.
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