A massive fire broke out in northwest Delhi’s Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar early on Tuesday, engulfing two adjacent buildings and triggering a large-scale firefighting operation that extended over several hours. The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) received the initial emergency call at approximately 1:25 am, prompting the deployment of 40 fire tenders to combat the blaze.
According to officials, the fire originated in two expansive godowns, covering nearly 1,000 square metres, which were used for storing automobile tools and repair equipment. The structures, comprising a basement, ground floor, and first floor, were fully engulfed by the time firefighting teams arrived. A DFS official stated, “The godowns have a basement, ground floor and first floor. We rushed 40 fire tenders to the spot. The godowns had automobile-repairing tools stored.”
The incident occurred during a hectic Diwali night in Delhi, with the DFS handling over 280 fire-related calls between Monday evening and Tuesday morning. Among these, the Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar fire was described as the “biggest and most intense” of the night.
The blaze produced thick clouds of black smoke that spread across the densely packed industrial and transport hub, home to hundreds of transport companies and warehouses, raising fears of potential secondary explosions. As a precautionary measure, authorities evacuated nearby business owners and residents. Thankfully, no casualties or injuries were reported, according to officials.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Sanjay Tomar explained that firefighting teams worked tirelessly through the night, utilising multiple hydrants and water tenders to contain the fire. He noted, “The fire spread rapidly due to the presence of flammable materials such as lubricants and automobile tools, but our teams prevented it from reaching nearby warehouses.”
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire, with initial reports pointing to a possible electrical short circuit in one of the workshops. Police and disaster management teams have cordoned off the affected area, and efforts to assess the extent of the damage are ongoing.
The Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar fire was one of several incidents across Delhi during the post-Diwali night, which also saw a spike in air pollution. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, air quality in nearby industrial areas such as Bawana and Jahangirpuri worsened to the “severe” category by Tuesday morning, exacerbated by the fires and the festival’s aftermath.
Given that Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar is one of Asia’s largest transport hubs, authorities have called on factory and warehouse operators in the area to review their fire safety compliance. The Delhi Fire Services reiterated its earlier appeal for updated safety audits and proper electrical maintenance, particularly during the festive season.
Despite the intensity of the incident, the DFS noted that this Diwali was relatively safer than anticipated, potentially due to improved preparedness. In a recent interview, Delhi’s Deputy Fire Chief AK Malik remarked that the department handled 626 calls over 30 hours this year, marking a significant decrease in fire incidents compared to 2024. He further said that only 122 of the calls on Diwali night were related to firecrackers.
Also Read: Crackers ignite Diwali; Delhi's AQI enters 'very poor' zone
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