New Delhi: A major fire broke out in a cluster of shanties in southwest Delhi’s Kapashera in the early hours of Thursday, gutting dozens of makeshift structures and triggering large-scale evacuations. No casualties were reported. Delhi Fire Services (DFS) received a call about the blaze around 4.11 am and rushed 25 to 30 fire tenders to the spot. Nearly 120 firefighters were deployed to bring the fire under control, a senior DFS officer said. Officers said the fire originated in shanties occupied by scrap dealers, where large quantities of highly combustible material — including metal sheets, tins, clothes, plastic and other scrap — were stored. The dense layout of the settlement and the presence of inflammable items caused the flames to spread rapidly, affecting an area of nearly 500 metres. Around 50 shanties were completely gutted, forcing nearly 100 residents to move to a nearby open space. As the fire threatened adjacent residential slum colonies, fire personnel carried out a precautionary evacuation of another 150 to 200 people. Power supply in the area was also suspended to prevent electrocution and further escalation. “The operation was risky because of the tightly packed shanties and piled-up scrap, with the added danger of cylinder blasts,” an officer said. He said that a small LPG cylinder exploded during the firefighting, briefly putting personnel at risk and requiring teams to change positions to prevent injuries. The fire was eventually brought under control after several hours. Officers said the exact cause of the blaze is yet to be determined and an inquiry has been initiated.
