Delhi has recorded over 7,800 fire calls and at least 55 fatalities between January and early June 2026, driven largely by intense summer temperatures, air-conditioner blasts, and electrical faults. Frequent fire incidents in Delhi have been a cause of concern for the authorities because they cause preventable fatalities and paralyse the city’s fragile emergency infrastructure.
Malviya Nagar Restaurant Latest to the List
Delhi Police confirmed that 21 people have died. Dozens of others have sustained burn injuries or suffered from severe smoke inhalation. Emergency responders, including the Delhi Fire Service and local police, successfully rescued over 37 to 40 people from the structure after a fire started in the Lemon Green Restaurant located in the Hauz Rani area of Malviya Nagar, South Delhi.
Major Fire Incidents of Delhi
Malviya Nagar Building Fire (June 3, 2026): A major fire broke out at the Lemon Green Restaurant in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar and rapidly spread to the upper floors of the building, which housed residential and hotel accommodations. The incident claimed at least 10 lives, while 37 people, including several foreign nationals, were rescued by emergency teams.
Mukherjee Nagar PG Fire (May 31–June 1, 2026): A late-night blaze was reported at a ground-plus-three-storey building containing a paying guest (PG) facility in the Indira Vihar area of Mukherjee Nagar. Five fire tenders were deployed to control the fire, and one woman sustained injuries during the incident.
Vivek Vihar Residential Fire (Early May 2026): A devastating fire engulfed a four-storey residential building in East Delhi. The blaze, suspected to have been triggered by an air-conditioner (AC) blast and wiring faults, claimed 9 lives.
Palam Residential Building Fire (March 18, 2026): A deadly blaze broke out in a residential complex in the Palam area, claiming 9 lives. March stood out as the single deadliest month of the year, accounting for 15 fire-related fatalities across the city.
Model Town Building Fire (February 21, 2026): A major blaze erupted inside a building in North Delhi’s Model Town area. Four fire tenders were rushed to the scene to successfully contain the fire and prevent casualties.
Delhi’s frequent fires kill vulnerable citizens and destroy businesses, causing severe economic damage. They stretch the overworked fire department thin, which faces narrow streets and delays. The toxic smoke worsens the city’s air pollution, while widespread building code violations and illegal zoning continue to create fatal structural traps.
