Delhi fire tragedy: Father, 2 children die after jumping from high-rise to escape flames

Dubai: In a heart-wrenching tragedy in Delhi’s Dwarka Sector-13, a father and his two 10-year-old children jumped from their ninth-floor apartment to escape a raging fire, only to succumb to their injuries.

The fire broke out around 9:58am on Tuesday in Shapath Society, a residential building near MRV School, according to Indian media reports.

Massive flames erupted from the windows as thick plumes of smoke engulfed the upper floors. Disturbing visuals from the scene showed the building ablaze, with panicked residents seeking help.

In a desperate attempt to escape the inferno, the children — a boy and a girl — leapt from the balcony and were rushed to Aakash Hospital, where they were declared dead.

Their father, 35-year-old Yash Yadav, who also jumped in a bid to save himself, died later at IGI Hospital. Yadav was engaged in the flex board business.

His wife and elder son managed to survive and are undergoing treatment at IGI Hospital.

People on the sixth floor were seen smashing windows.

"Those who were on the lower floors managed to evacuate quickly. But those higher up had a harrowing time. We saw some residents trying to climb onto balconies and signal for help," a local told the news agency PTI.

Evacuated

The Delhi Fire Service deployed eight fire tenders and a sky lift to rescue residents and douse the flames.

All occupants of the building were safely evacuated. Authorities have temporarily shut down electricity and gas connections to prevent further danger.

Officials from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) have been alerted to inspect the building's structural safety. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.