Delhis Tughlakabad fire that killed three was deliberate act of arson, CCTV reveals chilling conspiracy
The footage allegedly showed a woman entering the building shortly before the fire started and leaving soon afterwards, raising suspicions of deliberate arson.
PTC News Desk: What was first thought to be an accidental fire in Delhi's Tughlakabad Extension has now been revealed as an alleged case of arson. Delhi Police have detained a 17-year-old girl and arrested three others in connection with the incident, which claimed three lives.
The fire broke out around 2:24 am on June 12 in a residential building in Tughlakabad Extension. The flames quickly spread through the building, trapping residents inside. Eight people were injured and taken to hospital, while three victims — Pankaj, Sushila Devi and Sonia Kumari — later died during treatment. Two other family members remain seriously injured.
Initially, police registered a case treating the incident as an accidental fire. However, the investigation took a turn after officers reviewed CCTV footage from the area. The footage allegedly showed a woman entering the building shortly before the fire started and leaving soon afterwards, raising suspicions of deliberate arson.
Police later identified and detained a 17-year-old girl from Navjeevan Camp in Govindpuri. During questioning, she allegedly admitted to setting fire to a two-wheeler parked inside the building.
Investigators said the vehicle belonged to Deepak, a fifth-floor resident and relative of one of the accused. According to police, the act was carried out over a recent financial dispute and was intended as revenge against Deepak, not as an attack on other residents. However, the fire spread uncontrollably, resulting in multiple casualties and extensive damage.