24 Fire Tenders Rushed to Spot; One Person Rescued, Another Still Trapped
A massive fire broke out in a banquet hall in Delhi’s Motinagar area late Monday evening, triggering panic and a major emergency response. According to officials from the Delhi Fire Service, the fire was reported around 8:47 PM, prompting the immediate dispatch of 18 fire tenders, later scaled up to 24 as the situation escalated.
#WATCH | Delhi | A massive fire broke out in a banquet hall in the Motinagar area at around 8.47 pm. A total of 18 fire tenders are at the spot. Further details awaited: Delhi Fire Service
— ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2025
(Video Source: Delhi Police) pic.twitter.com/N2Ps3DrJB8
The fire engulfed parts of the banquet facility, reportedly packed with décor materials and furniture—elements known to accelerate flame spread. Early visuals showed thick smoke billowing into the sky, while fire engines lined the narrow streets of the Motinagar neighborhood.
At the time of the incident, two individuals were reportedly trapped inside the premises. Emergency crews acted promptly, successfully rescuing one individual. Efforts are ongoing to locate and rescue the second trapped person, with teams using thermal imaging and oxygen masks to enter the affected zones safely.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer SK Dua, speaking to the media on site, confirmed that the fire has been brought under control. “Two people were trapped. One has been rescued, and the operation to rescue the other is underway. Twenty-four fire tenders are at the spot,” he said, adding that no casualties have been reported so far.
#WATCH | Delhi Fire Service Dy Fire chief, SK Dua says, "The fire is under control. Two people were trapped. One has been rescued, and the operation to rescue the other is underway... No casualty is known so far. Twenty-four fire tenders are at the spot..." pic.twitter.com/AxYWOlZDkR
— ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2025
Swift Fire Response Prevents Casualties Amid Panic in Delhi’s Motinagar Area
The rapid deployment of fire tenders and trained response teams ensured that the fire did not spread to nearby residential buildings or shops—a significant concern given Motinagar’s congested layout. Officials say multiple fire zones were identified and tackled simultaneously to isolate and suffocate the flames.
Witnesses reported scenes of chaos and panic, with people fleeing the vicinity as the blaze intensified. However, thanks to the coordinated effort between Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Police, and local authorities, crowd control was maintained, and no injuries have been reported among bystanders.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has been alerted to assess structural damage to the banquet hall. Electricity supply to the area was partially cut off as a precaution, and by midnight, most emergency operations had shifted to cooling and debris inspection.
Authorities Launch Rescue Operation; Cause of Fire Yet to Be Determined
While the fire has been controlled, investigation teams have been deployed to determine the cause of the incident. Preliminary inputs suggest a possible short circuit or electrical fault in the banquet kitchen area or wiring systems, but officials have said that all causes, including negligence and lack of fire compliance, are being looked into.
The building’s fire NOC (No Objection Certificate) and safety audit will be examined as part of the inquiry. If violations are found, the banquet hall could face legal and financial penalties, or even permanent closure. Meanwhile, firefighters remain on site, and efforts to trace and extract the second trapped person continue. Updates are expected as rescue teams comb through smoke-filled compartments.
