Inferno Strikes Delhi Banquet Hall Amidst Diwali Celebrations

A fire gutted a two-floor banquet hall in Delhi's Shahdara during Diwali, with no casualties. Fireworks are suspected to be the cause, but investigations are ongoing. This incident was part of a wave of over 300 fire-related emergencies reported across Delhi during the festival, the highest in 13 years.

A two-floor banquet hall in Delhi's Shahdara was engulfed by fire during Diwali, prompting police intervention. The authorities suspect a misfired cracker ignited the blaze, but the investigation continues as the precise cause remains uncertain.

While patrolling the Krishna Nagar area, police discovered the venue ablaze and immediately alerted the fire department. The hall was found locked from the outside, necessitating the rapid deployment of ten fire tenders to extinguish the flames that severely damaged the hall's ground, first, and second floors.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Prashant Gautam confirmed the owner, Rakesh Nagpal, has been contacted, and forensic teams are slated for further examination. This incident coincides with a record surge in fire-related calls, exceeding 300 across Delhi during Diwali, attributed mainly to firecracker usage.

(With inputs from agencies.)