No water in fire system: Politicos slam Delhi government
What's the story
A massive fire, which broke out at the Brahmaputra Apartments in New Delhi on Saturday afternoon, has ignited a political storm, with opposition leaders criticizing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Delhi government for its alleged negligence. The fire broke out at the Staff Quarter block of MPs' Flats in Brahmaputra Building, BD Marg. It started around 1:15pm when children nearby reportedly set off firecrackers.
Political backlash
Fire engines took 25 minutes to arrive, says Gokhale
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saket Gokhale slammed the Delhi government for its poor fire safety measures and delayed response. He alleged that none of the three fire stations within a five-minute distance responded when called. "I then personally called the Fire Dept at 1:22pm. And the first fire engine showed up TWENTY FIVE MINUTES later," he wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Emergency delay
Fire alarm non-functional, ambulances arrived late: Gokhale
Gokhale further revealed that the building's fire system had no water, and the fire alarm was non-functional. He said people evacuated amid the blaze, but ambulances arrived an hour later without even a first-aid kit. "Along with MPs, the building also has accommodation for staff. About eight staff houses are completely gutted," he added.
Governance critique
Kejriwal slams BJP-led Delhi government
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also slammed the BJP government for ruining the city in six months. He said under their rule, Delhi has gone from having world-class schools and hospitals to broken roads and overflowing sewers. "People voted for the BJP... But they (BJP) have destroyed Delhi in six months," he said.
Incident update
Cause of fire under investigation
According to the Hindustan Times, the coordinated response of CPWD officials and the Delhi Fire Service personnel doused the flames by 1:45pm. While the Delhi Fire Service said there were no casualties in the incident, there remain conflicting reports about the operational status of the firefighting systems. While officials maintain that the systems were in order, residents like Gokhale allege otherwise. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by authorities.