A fire in a residential building in southeast Delhi’s Tughlakabad area killed three people and left two others in critical condition early Friday, June 12, 2026, officials said. The blaze was reported around 2.30 am from Gali No. 1, where flames broke out in the ground-floor parking area of a multi-storey building with five upper floors.

The victims included a 22-year-old man and two women. Several residents were trapped inside the building after thick smoke spread quickly through the stairwell and upper floors. Eight people were rescued and taken to Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS Trauma Centre for emergency treatment.

Fire linked to suspected short circuit

Officials said an initial inquiry points to an electrical short circuit on the ground floor as the likely cause of the fire. The flames spread through the parking area and damaged seven parked two-wheelers, including an electric scooter that was reportedly being charged at the time.

The presence of parked vehicles and heavy smoke made the situation more dangerous for residents on the upper floors. In many residential building fire cases, smoke inhalation becomes a major risk before flames reach the living areas, and officials said smoke had moved rapidly through the structure.

Delhi Police personnel reached the spot soon after the alert was received. Senior officers, including the SHO, ACP, additional DCPs and the southeast district DCP, were also present as rescue operations continued.

Firefighters rescue residents from rooftop

Delhi Fire Services deployed four fire tenders, while CATS ambulances and emergency response teams were also rushed to the scene. Firefighters rescued five occupants from inside the building and later climbed to the terrace, where they cut open a locked gate to save two girls who had reportedly moved to the rooftop to escape the smoke.

Another trapped resident was rescued as the operation continued. Officials said the blaze was brought under control around 3.45 am and fully doused by 4 am.

Authorities are now investigating the exact cause of the Tughlakabad fire and whether building safety gaps, blocked exits or electrical issues contributed to the deaths. The incident has again raised concerns over fire safety in crowded residential buildings, especially where parking areas are used for charging electric vehicles and two-wheelers overnight.