Malviya Nagar Fire: 12 hours on, firefighters struggle to bring blaze under control; Air Force joins ops

The massive fire that broke out at a rubber godown in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Tuesday night continues to even on Wednesday morning as firefighter struggle to douse the blaze. Over 40 fire engines are at the spot. Although no casualty was reported in the fire has caused panic among locals. The Indian Air Force has also deployed a chopper to douse the flame after authorities sought its help.

The IAF said it has launched a Mi 17 helicopter for Bambi operations from PALAM to try and contain the fire. 

Delhi: Fire which broke out at a godown in Malviya Nagar yesterday has still not been doused, Air Force chopper deployed pic.twitter.com/0oFstxrw4F

— ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2018

The fire began in a truck inside the rubber factory, which is located in the narrow bylanes of Khirki Extension, around 5 pm. Soon, the fire spread and thick smoke was seen billowing out of the building.

Police soon evacuated the area to ensure the safety of the people living near the godown.

"No casualty has been reported so far and the nearby area has been temporarily evacuated for security reasons," Deputy Commissioner of Police, South East Romil Baaniya, said last evening.

Officials described it as the "highest category" fire. 

The call of the fire was received around 5 PM and 35 fire tenders were rushed to the factory to bring the blaze under control, said a Delhi Fire Services officer.

#WATCH Delhi: Fire which broke out at a godown in Malviya Nagar yesterday has still not been doused, Air Force's MI 17 helicopter deployed for Bambi bucket operations pic.twitter.com/s8m1dXPjim

— ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2018

Reaching the spot proved to be very tough for the fire engines as the lanes in the area are very narrow and congested, officials said. One firefighter has been injured.

"The fire is in rubber sheets stored in the godown. No casualty has been reported so far and the nearby area has been temporarily evacuated for security reasons," added the officer.

The fire department also said that there is a real danger of the fire spreading from the godown factory to other nearby areas. The fire has already spread to the residential building next to the godown, but it is said to be empty.

Locals were angry about an illegal warehouse functioning in a residential area, risking the lives of so many people.

Delhi: Latest visuals from Malviya Nagar where fire broke out in a rubber godown yesterday. Firefighting operations underway. pic.twitter.com/Q4Jx1TLDL7

— ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2018

"The presence of a warehouse in a residential area is questionable. It's been five hours now and the fire is yet to be doused. That's scary. As far as I know, all the houses in the particular bylane have been evacuated," said Samyam Gupta, another resident.

The buildings in the area were cordoned off and the building was sealed.

The rubber godown is close to Sant Nirankari Public School.

"The fire has spread to an adjacent house and a school too. The fire tenders are taking time to control the fire because they have not been able to enter the narrow bylanes properly. Also, it has been quite windy here for the last two-three hours, which has helped fan the smoke," said Nikhil Singh, a student who lives in the area.

Local AAP MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj alleged that there were many such illegal godowns and illegal factories were many disasters are waiting to happen.

He also said that the local AAP councillor had complained to SDMC officials, but no action was taken.