Govindpuri fire claims fourth life

The death toll in the Govindpuri fire rose to four after 50-year-old Guddi Devi succumbed to her condition in Safdarjung Hospital on Monday, days after her son, daughter and mother were killed, police said on Tuesday.The fire broke out at 2.20 a.

m. on June 12 at the multi-storey building in Tughlakabad Extension, engulfing the structure from the ground floor to the fifth floor.Eight people sustained injuries in the incident and were shifted to AIIMS Trauma Centre and Safdarjung Hospital for treatment.

Out of these, three earlier succumbed to their condition.Police, subsequently, arrested three persons - Sarita, Niranjan and Rajkumar - and apprehended a 17-year-old girl for their alleged involvement in the fire According to the police, Sarita allegedly persuaded the teenager to set fire to a scooter belonging to a resident of the building over an unpaid loan of ₹50,000-80,000. The fire subsequently spread through the building.

Investigators said CCTV footage showed the teenager entering the building shortly before the fire and leaving minutes before flames engulfed the structure.“The resident had borrowed money from Sarita and was being pressured to repay it. When he failed to do so, she decided to have his scooter burnt,” a senior police officer said.

The resident said, “I had taken the loan because of financial difficulties and told her I would repay it. I never imagined such a tragedy would befall my family while I was away”.His wife remains in the intensive care unit.

Police said the two other accused in the case have at least six criminal cases registered against them, including charges of murder and attempt to murder. This is the first criminal case registered against Sarita. Published - June 17, 2026 12:59 am IST Read Comments Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit READ LATER SEE ALL Remove