A dilapidated multi-storey building came crashing down in the congested Chandni Chowk area in New Delhi in the early hours of Sunday. No causalities were reported as the building was already declared dangerous and evacuated before the collapse.
The five-storey building, housing shops, offices and godowns, had started developing large cracks and began to tilt late on Saturday night following which it was evacuated pre-empting any mishap. It was around 1 a.m. that a portion of the building came crashing down following which the locals informed the Delhi Fire Service and the Delhi Police.
“We received a call at 12-55 a.m. saying that a multi-storey building had partially collapsed. Five fire tenders were rushed to the spot. No one was reported to be injured as the building was already evacuated,” said a Delhi Fire Service official.
Later, the remaining portion of the building tilting dangerously was also demolished and the debris was being removed till late in the evening. “We do not expect to complete it tonight. We may have to resume the operation to remove debris on Monday again,” said the official.
Though no causalities were reported, those who owned shops in the building claimed to have incurred huge losses and blamed the collapse on unauthorised construction that was going on at the top floor of the building.
