A massive fire broke out in a cluster of temporary tin-sheds for labourers near Udyog Bhawan in New Delhi in the early hours of Wednesday (June 24, 2026), gutting around 200 structures, an official of the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said.

The DFS received a call at 3.02 a.m. informing about fire in an electric panel near the labour jhuggis close to Udyog Bhawan. The blaze quickly spread through the densely packed tin-shed rooms, prompting a major firefighting operation, he said.

Work has commenced on the demolition of Udyog Bhawan, one of the prominent government office complexes in the Central Vista area, as part of the Centre’s ambitious redevelopment programme. The dismantling of Udyog Bhawan, constructed in the late 1950s, follows the demolition of neighbouring Nirman Bhawan.

Fire officials said the incident was initially attended by two water tenders, but the scale of the blaze led to upgrades, with 19 fire-fighting vehicles, including water tenders, water bowsers and other specialised units, being pressed into service.

The fire was brought under control at around 5.30 a.m. Officials said the blaze involved approximately 200 temporary labour accommodations and LPG cylinders.

No injuries or casualties were reported.

The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Expressing concern over the “increasing” incidents of fires in the national capital Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Delhi president Harsh Malhotra on Sunday (June 14, 2026) urged citizens to remain alert against fire hazards, get electrical wiring checked, ensure regular servicing of AC units, car battery charging points, and switch off unnecessary electrical plug points while sleeping or leaving home. 

Mr. Malhotra said that due to rising temperatures during both summer and winter conditions, the load on electrical appliances such as coolers, ACs, microwaves, etc. increases, putting additional pressure on old electrical wiring, which can become a serious safety hazard.

“I extend my appreciation on behalf of all Delhi residents to the Fire Brigade personnel who safely rescued a 75-year-old woman trapped on the second floor amid a massive fire and exploding gas cylinders in Kalkaji today,” he said. 

The Delhi BJP president said that the timely arrival of the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) on Sunday morning and the relief efforts coordinated by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) helped avert a major tragedy.

“We do not want to politicize a serious issue like fire incident, but it is unfortunate that the Kalkaji MLA Ms. Atishi Marlena, who shed crocodile tears over the Hauz Rani accident outside Max Hospital just five days ago, did not reach the accident site in her own constituency even after several hours,” he said. 

Two more fires reported in Delhi

Two fire incidents in different parts of Delhi on Sunday were brought under control without any loss of life, said fire officers. 

In the first, a 75-year-old woman was rescued after a fire broke out at a restaurant near the Kalkaji-Govindpuri flyover in southeast Delhi in the early hours of the day. 

According to the Delhi Fire Services (DFS), the blaze was reported at 4:45 a.m. and involved a building comprising a basement, ground floor and three upper floors, along with a temporary structure on the terrace. “Three commercial LPG cylinders exploded at the Punjabi Tadka restaurant, further intensifying the blaze,” said a DFS officer. 

Nine fire tenders were pressed into service and the fire was brought under control by 5:40 a.m. During search and rescue operations, firefighters safely evacuated Sita Devi from the second floor of an adjoining building. 

Later in the day, a fire broke out on the first floor of an apparel showroom in Rajouri Garden market in west Delhi. 

DFS officers said the blaze, reported at 3:55 p.m., affected a two-storied lehenga and chunni showroom spread over about 300 square yards. It was brought under control around 4:20 p.m. No injuries were reported. 

Fire officers said the cause of both the fires is yet to be ascertained.