Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal visited the site of a catastrophic fire in the Palam area of Delhi on Thursday. The incident, which occurred on March 18, resulted in the deaths of nine individuals from a single family. The blaze also left several others injured. Kejriwal expressed his grief and concern for the victims’ families during his visit.

Concerns Raised Over Delayed Response

Kejriwal indicated that there were significant delays in the fire department’s response, stating, “I learned that when the Fire Brigade arrived, their ladders were non-functional. If timely action had been taken, perhaps lives could have been saved.” He emphasized that the tragedy could have been mitigated with a prompt response from authorities. Furthermore, he condemned the behavior of some BJP leaders, claiming they engaged in disruptive actions instead of providing support to the bereaved family.

Identification of the Victims

The victims included members of the family of Rajendra Kashyap, a known worker of the Aam Aadmi Party. Upon hearing about the fire, Kashyap, who was in Goa assisting Kejriwal, hurried back to Delhi to join efforts in addressing the tragedy. Kejriwal conveyed his condolences to the family during his visit to the site.

Political Reactions and Allegations

In the aftermath of the fire, the Aam Aadmi Party shared video footage claiming eyewitness accounts that criticized the conduct of the authorities. They alleged negligence, placing blame on the BJP-led administration and local fire department for the high number of casualties. Reports indicated that nine people, including three children, perished in the blaze, while around ten others were rescued and hospitalized.

Statements from AAP Leaders

Leader Saurabh Bharadwaj visited the scene and stated that the fire erupted around 6:30 AM and that emergency services were alerted quickly. However, he asserted that fire tenders did not arrive until nearly an hour later. Bharadwaj highlighted that the fire brigade’s hydraulic lift was reportedly malfunctioning, which hampered rescue efforts and likely contributed to the fatalities, including the loss of young lives.

Further Political Developments

The situation intensified politically as the AAP focused on BJP minister Ashish Sood, calling for accountability and actions regarding the incident. AAP MP Sanjay Singh characterized the situation as “not an accident but murder,” citing critical deficiencies in emergency preparedness, including a lack of working rescue equipment such as ladders and safety nets.

Community Reactions

The community’s emotional response to the fire has been profound, and concerns regarding safety protocols have further fueled discussions among local residents and officials. Many are now calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire and the response by emergency services.

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