Delhi: Fire Breaks Out In Building At Chandni Chowk, Evacuation Operations Carried Out

New Delhi: Just hours after a fire claimed the lives of nine people in East Delhi's Vivek Vihar, another blaze broke out on Sunday evening (May 3, 2026) in Old Delhi's Chandni Chowk area. According to officials, the fire erupted around 9:07 PM on the first floor of a building in the Chawri Bazar locality.

Where Did the Fire Break Out?

According to media reports, the Delhi Fire Service believes that the floor where the fire started houses residential flats. A fire official stated that five fire tenders were dispatched to the scene immediately upon receiving the alert.

The building in question is situated right next to a famous sweet shop named 'Gujarat Namkeen Bhandar' in Chandni Chowk. On a reassuring note, there have been no reports of any casualties or injuries so far. Rescue operations continued late into the night.

Was There Fire in Vivek Vihar?

It is worth noting that just a few hours prior to the Chandni Chowk incident, a massive fire had engulfed a residential building in Vivek Vihar early Sunday morning. The blaze claimed the lives of nine people, including an innocent one-and-a-half-year-old child. Firefighters safely rescued approximately 20 people from the building. The Delhi Fire Service received the distress call at 3:47 AM, and multiple teams were dispatched immediately. A total of 14 fire tenders arrived at the scene, and rescue operations were underway by 5:00 AM.

How Was the Fire Caused?

Officials stated that the fire initially ignited amidst household items and, within moments, spread to six different flats. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva remarked that preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been triggered by sparks emanating from an AC unit.

Sachdeva stated, "The first call was received at 3:45 AM, and fire tenders arrived by 3:52 AM. A total of 14 fire tenders were deployed, and 20 people were rescued." He added that as the fire spread rapidly, residents rushed toward the terrace in an attempt to escape, only to find the door leading to the terrace locked.

This effectively blocked their exit route. BJP MLA Sanjay Goyal also attributed the cause of the fire to a short circuit. He stated that a short circuit occurred in an air conditioner installed on the second floor. Five members of the same family lost their lives on this very floor.

Some individuals also claimed that the AC had exploded. Two separate fire incidents occurring in Delhi on the same day have raised questions regarding safety protocols. A major disaster was averted in Chandni Chowk, but the tragedy in Vivek Vihar has shaken the entire city.