Massive fire at retail outlet destroys goods; 25-year-old dies trapped in lift amid poor ventilation and delayed evacuation
July-5, 2025: A 25-year-old man, Kumar Dhirender Pratap Singh, was found dead inside a lift after a devastating fire broke out at a Vishal Mega Mart outlet in Delhi’s bustling Karol Bagh area on Friday.
According to officials, Singh got trapped in the lift of the four-storey retail store as thick smoke and flames rapidly spread through the building. Thirteen fire engines were dispatched to control the blaze, which gutted large quantities of fabric, groceries, and other merchandise.
During the firefighting and rescue operations, officials noted a serious lack of ventilation inside the building. Firefighters were forced to break a wall on the third floor to create a vent and release smoke and heat.
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Though the exact cause of the fire has yet to be determined, early assessments point towards an electrical fault or short circuit.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about fire safety compliance in commercial establishments in densely populated urban areas like Karol Bagh.
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Delhi fire, Vishal Mega Mart fire, Karol Bagh fire, man trapped in lift, retail store fire, Kumar Dhirender Pratap Singh, Delhi news, commercial fire safety, short circuit fire, lift death, Delhi emergency response