Mystery Woman Captured on CCTV Before Fatal Delhi Fire

A mysterious woman captured on CCTV entering and exiting a building just before a fatal fire erupted in Delhi's Tughlakabad Extension is now the focus of a police investigation. The blaze, which occurred early Friday morning, claimed the lives of three members of a family.

The two-minute CCTV footage, obtained from a camera opposite the building, shows the woman, her face obscured by a dupatta, entering the premises and then quickly leaving as an explosion occurred. "At this stage, we cannot say why she had entered the building, whether she had come to meet someone, or whether she had any role in the incident. All angles are being examined," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Hemant Tiwari.

Residents reported seeing the woman heading towards the parking area shortly before the fire. While investigators are analyzing the footage and other evidence, police are emphasizing that no conclusions have been drawn regarding the woman's involvement. A detailed forensic examination is required to determine the fire's cause.

One senior police officer suggested the fire might have originated from an electric scooter being charged in the ground-floor parking area, where several two-wheelers were parked. The deceased, identified as 70-year-old Sushila Devi, her 28-year-old grandson Pankaj Pandey, and granddaughter Soni, 20, were among those trapped. Two other family members and three women on the top floor sustained injuries but are reported to be out of danger.

A case has been registered against unknown individuals under sections related to causing death by negligence and negligent conduct with respect to fire. The incident has reignited concerns about building safety standards in densely populated areas of Delhi.

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At this stage, we cannot say why she had entered the building, whether she had come to meet someone, or whether she had any role in the incident. All angles are being examined.