1st LD Writethru: 3 killed, 10 injured in residential building fire in Indian capital

At least three persons have been killed and 10 others injured in a major fire at a residential building in the Indian capital Wednesday, a senior police official said.

"The fire broke out around 5 a.m. (local time) in the parking lot of the apartment building in Mohan Park area of Shahdara, where electric rickshaws were parked. Soon the flames spread through the four-storeyed building," he said, on condition of anonymity.

While three persons died on the spot, those injured have been admitted to a local hospital where the condition of some are said to be critical, the official said, adding that most of the victims were fast asleep at the time of the incident.

Local TV channels reported that fire fighters took over two hours to bring the blaze under control, and showed footage of the charred building.

Though an electric short-circuit is suspected to be the reason behind the fire, a probe has been ordered into the incident, the official said, adding that the fire department will also check if the building had fire-safety measures. Endit