NEW DELHI: A fire broke out on Saturday afternoon at the Staff Quarter block of MPs’ Flats in the Brahmaputra Building located at BD Marg, New Delhi. Authorities confirmed that there were no casualties, and the situation was swiftly brought under control through a coordinated effort by officials of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and personnel from the Delhi Fire Service (DFS).
According to an official release, the fire originated around 1:15 PM in the silt area of the building, where unserviceable furniture and discarded materials had been stacked for disposal. Preliminary reports suggest that the fire was triggered by the ignition of firecrackers set off by children playing nearby. The blaze was noticed at approximately 1:18 PM.
Before the arrival of fire tenders, CPWD officials acted promptly by cutting off the building’s power supply and IGL gas connection as a safety measure. They also ensured a swift evacuation of the premises to prevent any injuries or loss of life.
Fire tenders from the Delhi Fire Service reached the site shortly after and joined efforts to douse the flames. The fire was completely extinguished by 1:45 PM, preventing it from spreading to residential areas or causing significant damage. Officials praised the quick coordination between the CPWD and the fire service teams, which helped contain the situation efficiently.
Authorities confirmed that all fire-fighting systems installed in the building were operational and were effectively utilised to control the blaze even before the fire tenders arrived. However, automatic sprinklers were not installed in the silt area, in accordance with the provisions of the National Building Code (NBC) 2016, which does not mandate sprinkler systems in such spaces.
The prompt response of the maintenance and emergency teams ensured that the incident remained minor, with no injuries or property damage beyond the silt area. Officials have urged residents to exercise caution, especially during the festive season, to prevent similar fire-related incidents.
