Iron grills, smart lock, nets: How Delhi building became a death trap during fire, After AC blast or short circuit
A fire in an east Delhi residential building became deadly because multiple safety barriers blocked escape: iron grills, a malfunctioning smart lock, locked access to the roof, and window nets slowed evacuation and rescue. The blaze, suspected to have started from an AC blast or short circuit, killed nine people and injured several others.
The building reportedly had only one staircase for several flats, so once that route filled with smoke and flames, residents had very few alternatives. Rescue teams also had to cut through barred openings and nets, which delayed access to trapped occupants.
Eyewitness accounts and early reports say the fire may have started on the second floor near an AC unit and then spread through domestic interiors and shared spaces. That kind of rapid spread is especially dangerous in tightly packed buildings with limited ventilation and escape routes.
This incident shows why fire safety design matters as much as burglary security. Iron grills, sealed balconies, and electronic locks can become fatal if they do not have emergency-release options or if a building lacks multiple exits.
