Six-Storey Building Engulfed in Flames, 4 Dead, 4 Battling for Life

Ajmer  (The Uttam Hindu): A fire broke out due to a short-circuit at around 8 am in Naaz Hotel in Diggi Bazaar, Ajmer. The fire spread to the fifth floor, where the pilgrims staying there were trapped. Narrow lanes and smoke made the rescue work difficult. Many firefighters and police personnel fell ill due to suffocation.

Four of the eight injured who were brought to the district's JLN Medical College Hospital succumbed to their injuries. The deceased include 40-year-old Mohammad Zahid, a resident of Moti Nagar in New Delhi, a 30-year-old woman, a 20-year-old youth and another 40-year-old man. The four who are still in critical condition include one-and-a-half-year-old Ibrahim, Krishna, Alka and Dhawan.

Principal doctor Anil Samaria said that the treatment of three seriously injured people is going on. Another child was saved by his mother by throwing him out of the window; he has minor burn injuries and has been discharged from the hospital after primary treatment.

According to eyewitness Mangilal Kalosia, before the fire broke out, there was a loud bang in the room, probably of an air conditioner bursting. He and his wife immediately rushed out and took care of the situation, but the fire brigade arrived about thirty minutes later to rescue the others. The crowd helped the trapped people get out of the windows by breaking the glass from outside.

Additional Superintendent of Police Himanshu Jangid said that all possible rescue facilities have been deployed at the spot and further investigation is revealing the cause to be a short-circuit. Fire control and rescue operations are underway, while the administration has assured all possible help to the families of the deceased for treatment and compensation.