At least 20 people were killed Friday in a devastating fire inside a commercial building in the Indian capital, officials said.(Xinhua/UNI)
At least 20 people have died and more than 40 others sustained burns in the devastating building fire in the Indian capital.
NEW DELHI, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The death toll in a devastating building fire inside a commercial building near Mundka metro station in the Indian capital city rose to 20 on Friday, officials said.
Officials said the death toll was likely to increase as more than 40 others sustained burns and have been sent to the hospital.
"It's a massive fire. So far, we have recovered 20 bodies from the first and second floors. Teams are now trying to go to the third floor for rescue," Atul Garg, Director Delhi fire service told media. "All bodies are charred."
Firefighters are using heavy cranes to reach the top floor of the building.
Officials said the building housed offices of many companies, and 24 fire tenders have been sent to the spot to douse the fire after the fire was reported at 4:40 p.m. local time.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known. However, reports said the fire started from the first floor of the building at the office of a CCTV cameras and router manufacturing company.
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind has expressed grief over the deaths in the fire.
"Distressed by the tragic fire accident at a building near Mundka metro station in Delhi. My condolences to the bereaved families. I wish for speedy recovery of the injured," the president's office said on social media. ■