Delhi tragedy: 9 of family killed in massive fire at Palam building

In Delhi, nine members of a family, including three children, died after a fire broke out in a multi-storey residential building in southwest Delhi's Palam area on Wednesday morning, officials said. Three others were injured, two of them jumped from the building at Ram Chowk Market near Palam Metro Station in a desperate attempt to escape the flames, they said. The five-storey building had a cloth and cosmetic showroom on the ground and first floor, while the family of the owner of the showroom, Rajender Kashyap, lived on the second and third floors. 
Pravesh (33), Kamal, (39), Ashu (35) Lado (70 ), Himanshi (22), Deepika (28) and three minor girls aged 15, six and three -- were identified to have died in the fire. Anil, 32, and one girl aged two are under treatment and Sachin (29) was being treated for 25 per cent burn injuries at Safdarjung Hospital. Officials said the fire was reported around 7 am from a house in the building, triggering an immediate deployment of nearly 30 fire tenders to the site. Firefighters rushed to contain the flames and search for residents feared to be trapped inside the structure.Initial reports indicated a higher toll, with seven fatalities, including three children, as the fire spread rapidly through the residential unit. Authorities noted that the congested nature of the locality posed challenges for rescue teams attempting to access the building.

#WATCH | Delhi: A massive fire broke out in a building in the Palam area. Around 30 fire brigades are present at the spot, and the rescue operation is underway. Multiple casualties feared.

(Visual from the spot) pic.twitter.com/CJHMFxkJ8f

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2026

Emergency personnel, including teams from the Delhi Fire Services and local police, are continuing operations to douse the fire and evacuate those affected. “Information was received about a fire in a residential unit, and we fear some people might be trapped inside,” a fire official said.
Firefighting and rescue operations were underway. Police and other emergency teams had also reached the congested locality to assist in the operation. Taranjit Singh Sandhu expressed concern over the fire incident near Palam Metro, saying authorities are closely monitoring rescue and firefighting efforts while extending all necessary support to those affected.In a post on X, he said, “Deeply distressed by the fire incident in a residential building near Palam Metro. My thoughts are with those affected by this tragic loss. Rescue and firefighting operations are being closely monitored, with all necessary support being extended.”

Deeply distressed by the fire incident in a residential building near Palam Metro.

My thoughts are with those affected by this tragic loss. Rescue and firefighting operations are being closely monitored, with all necessary support being extended.

— Taranjit Singh Sandhu (@SandhuTaranjitS) March 18, 2026

The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined. Further details are awaited as authorities continue their investigation. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said a magisterial inquiry was ordered into the fire at a multi-storey residential building in Delhi's Palam area in which several people from a family have died.