A massive fire broke out in a four-storey residential building in Southwest Delhi’s Palam area on Wednesday morning, claiming the lives of eight people, including children. (Express Photo by Gajendra Yadav)The malfunctioning of a hydraulic crane during the firefighting operation at a residential building in Southwest Delhi’s Palam on Wednesday has yet again raised questions over the preparedness of the Delhi Fire Services (DFS). Moments after successfully pulling a person to safety, the hydraulic fire tender developed a technical snag — reportedly triggered by low hanging electric wires in the locality — interfering with its sensors and bringing the operation to a sudden halt, raising fresh concerns over the upkeep of such life-saving equipment. Nine of a family were killed in the blaze.The Delhi government has warned of strict action against erring DFS officers, officials said on Thursday. “CM Rekha Gupta has already ordered for a magisterial enquiry in the fire incident. The response time and measures are under probe and strict action will be taken against lapses,” said a senior official in Delhi government. Meanwhile, Home Minister Ashish Sood also launched a city-wide fire safety mission on Thursday as he said that “we are ending the era of blind spots in the city”.Fire officials said they did not receive the call about the incident on time. “This is not the first time that we have received a call late. After we reached the site, the building was engulfed in smoke,” said an official.A senior fire official told The Indian Express, “Most deaths in blazes are being caused in cases where a shop is operating at the ground floor with houses above, as in the case of Palam blaze. Residential buildings have a single staircase and in most of the fires, we see that the fire usually starts from the ground floor and traps the only exit.” Uncontrolled commercialisation is an added factor, the official said.Limited availability of fire safety equipment remains a concern and a challenge. Of the roughly 11 rescue-specific hydraulic units in service, 9 are in commission, according to officials.There are only two high-reach Bronto fire tenders — a specialised fire truck equipped with a long, extendable hydraulic platform (like a crane with a basket at the end) — which are currently functional. Both operational units have a reach of 42 metres, while another Bronto with a 70 metre capacity remains out of service, alongside one more malfunctioning unit.Bronto fire tenders are mainly used to rescue people and fight fires in high-rise buildings. Firefighters can stand in the basket and reach great heights safely, even up to 70–100 meters in some models. It also has a powerful water monitor to spray water from above. These vehicles are especially important in cities with tall buildings, where normal fire engines cannot reach upper floors quickly during emergencies.Story continues below this adFire officials admit that for the smooth operation of these platforms, a minimum vertical clearance of five metres from the road is essential, an often unmet condition in Delhi’s congested urban landscape, where overhead cables and encroachments pose constant risk.Sources in the Delhi government also said that the CM has directed the District Magistrate (DM) of South West Delhi to complete the probe and submit the report within 3-4 days even as the usual time for filing report is around 5-7 days.New Delhi: A day after nine of his family died, AAP member Rajender Kashyap, who owned the building, blamed the deaths on “system’s failure”. A forensic team held a site visit on Thursday. Officials suspect that the fire started after a short circuit in a switch board on the ground floor where a shop operated. Officials said that the stored cosmetic items may have caused fire due to the short circuit.At a condolence meeting held by the local market association, Kashyap, who was in Goa at the time of the incident, told reporters that if there was a timely response to the fire, his family might have survived. ENS Sakshi Chand is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. With over a decade of experience in investigative journalism, she is a leading voice on crime, the prison system, and institutional governance in the National Capital. Professional Background Specialization: Her reporting focus includes high-stakes crime, national security, prison reforms, and traffic governance. Key Coverage: She has been on the frontlines of major events such as the 2G spectrum case, the 2020 North-East Delhi riots, and communal clashes across Uttar Pradesh (Kasganj, Aligarh). Earlier Career: Before joining The Indian Express, she was a reporter for The Times of India. Personal Interests: Outside of her career in journalism, Sakshi is a National-level basketball player and coach, bringing a unique sporting discipline to her professional life. Major Recent Coverage (Late 2025) Her reporting in the latter half of 2025 has been dominated by a major terror investigation and administrative accountability: 1. The Red Fort Blast Investigation Throughout November and December 2025, Sakshi led the coverage of a car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort: Forensic Breakthroughs: She reported on the use of TATP and ammonium nitrate in the IED and identified the shops where raw materials were sourced (Nov 14-16, 2025). The "i20 Route": She meticulously tracked the journey of the vehicle used in the blast, tracing it to a Pulwama-based resident who entered Delhi via the Badarpur toll plaza (Nov 12, 2025). Victim Support: She recently reported on the Delhi Police providing a list of damaged vehicle owners to the Finance Ministry to expedite insurance claims for those caught in the blast (Dec 4, 2025). 2. Crime & Police Accountability "Crackdown on Extortion Gangs": In December 2025, she reported on a syndicate that was blackmailing traffic cops. Following five arrests, the Special CP directed officers to report all such attempts (Dec 12, 2025). "Corruption in the Ranks": She covered the arrest of five Delhi Police personnel by the Vigilance branch following a wave of public complaints (May 19, 2025). Cold Cases & International Murders: She has extensively tracked the case of a man who allegedly killed his wife in London and fled to India, reporting on his "Proclaimed Offender" status and the denial of his anticipatory bail (May 2025). 3. Governance & Public Policy "13,000 Homes for 90,000 Cops": A data-driven feature on why the majority of Delhi Police personnel are forced to live on rent despite the city's housing projects (May 4, 2025). Traffic Decongestion: Using her interest in urban logistics, she detailed how the Traffic Police eased congestion on Vikas Marg by switching off signals and creating U-turns (April 2, 2025). Signature Style Sakshi Chand is known for a data-driven and investigative approach. She frequently uses forensic reports, CCTV analysis, and administrative data to go beyond the "official version" of a crime story. Her work in prison reporting is particularly noted for highlighting the legal and humanitarian conditions of foreign detention centers and local jails. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:New Delhi