Smoke and Flames Erupt from Second Floor
A major fire broke out on Monday at the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) campus in Delhi’s ITO area, where offices linked to the Ministry of Education are located. According to preliminary reports, the fire is suspected to have started due to a malfunction in an air-conditioning unit installed on the second floor of the building. Witnesses reported seeing sparks and smoke emerging from the AC system before flames rapidly spread across the area.
Faculty Members and Students Evacuated Safely
The building houses faculty rooms, administrative cabins, and academic facilities. As the fire intensified, authorities immediately began evacuation procedures. Faculty members, staff, and students present inside the building were safely moved out. Officials confirmed that no injuries or casualties were reported due to the timely evacuation.
Fire Spread to Multiple Rooms
Strong winds and high temperatures reportedly accelerated the spread of the fire. What initially appeared to be a small blaze near the air-conditioning unit soon expanded to at least three rooms on the second floor. Parts of the third floor were also affected as thick smoke engulfed sections of the building.
Eyewitness videos shared on social media showed flames emerging from windows while emergency personnel worked to contain the situation. The dense smoke created visibility challenges, making firefighting operations more difficult.
Firefighters Use Sky Lift During Rescue Operation
Several fire tenders from the Delhi Fire Service rushed to the location shortly after receiving the alert. Due to the height of the building and the intensity of the flames, firefighters deployed a sky lift to spray water directly into affected areas through balconies and upper-floor openings.
The firefighting operation continued for nearly 50 minutes before officials managed to bring the blaze under control. Emergency teams remained on-site to prevent any possibility of the fire reigniting and to assess structural safety.
AC Malfunction Under Investigation
Authorities believe the fire may have originated from a spark inside an air-conditioning unit, though a detailed technical inspection is still pending. Investigators are expected to examine the electrical systems and cooling equipment to determine the exact cause of the incident.
Officials also stated that some office spaces and important documents may have suffered damage due to the fire and smoke. A complete assessment of losses will be conducted after safety clearance is provided.
Safety Concerns Raised Again
The incident has once again highlighted concerns about electrical safety and air-conditioning maintenance during extreme summer temperatures. Experts often advise regular servicing of cooling systems and electrical wiring inspections, especially during peak heat conditions when AC units operate continuously for long hours.
Authorities are expected to release a detailed report once the investigation is completed. Meanwhile, operations at the affected section of the building may remain restricted until safety checks are finalized.
