From Mangolpuri shoe factory to Uphaar cinema: The major fires that keep bringing Delhi under scrutiny

Delhi has experienced numerous devastating fires in various settings, including factories, hotels, hospitals, commercial buildings, and public spaces. These incidents have often highlighted serious violations of safety norms, illegal construction, and regulatory failures. The recent fire at a shoe factory in Mangolpuri, which claimed four lives and left two injured, has once again drawn attention to Delhi's fire safety preparedness.

Over 20 fire tenders tackled the blaze for more than three hours, and six unconscious individuals were rushed to a nearby hospital, with four succumbing to their injuries. The cause of the fire remains to be determined.

Delhi has witnessed several tragic fires over the years, each raising questions about the effectiveness of authorities in learning from past disasters. For instance, the Hauz Rani bed-and-breakfast incident in June 2022 claimed 23 lives, including 14 foreign nationals, due to illegal expansion and lack of proper fire exits. Similarly, the Vivek Vihar hospital fire in May 2024 resulted in the deaths of seven newborns, prompting concerns about fire safety in healthcare facilities.

In March 2022, a fire at a commercial building near Mundka Metro station killed 27 people, while an industrial fire in Anaj Mandi in December 2019 claimed 43 lives. The Hotel Arpit Palace fire in February 2019 took the lives of 17 individuals, and a fire at an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in Bawana in January 2018 resulted in the deaths of two people.

The 1997 Uphaar cinema fire in South Delhi remains one of the worst fire tragedies in the country, with 59 deaths and over 100 injuries due to a transformer malfunction.