Two people, including a 16-year-old boy, died after a late-night fire tore through a municipal night shelter on Tuesday in the city’s central district, authorities said. The blaze broke out shortly after 11 p.m., trapping several occupants who were asleep at the time. Fire officials said the victims were found inside a corner section of the shelter where the flames spread rapidly. An inquiry has been launched to determine whether electrical faults, inadequate safety measures, or structural lapses contributed to the incident.

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The Incident and Emergency Response

Firefighters Arrive Within Minutes

City Fire and Rescue Services said crews reached the scene within six minutes of receiving the emergency call. By then, a significant portion of the shelter’s sleeping area was filled with smoke and intense heat. Firefighters used breathing apparatuses to enter the structure, rescuing at least nine people who were still inside.

Officials said two bodies were recovered once the fire was brought under control. Preliminary reports suggest most residents woke up and escaped after hearing shouts and smelling burning electrical equipment, but the victims appeared unable to exit due to the speed at which the flames spread.

Survivors Describe Chaotic Escape

Several survivors said the fire began near the shelter’s central corridor, where an overloaded power strip was reportedly used to charge multiple devices. Authorities have not confirmed this claim.

Residents told reporters they woke up to thick smoke and scrambled toward the exit in darkness. “There was panic everywhere. We couldn’t see anything. Someone pulled me by the arm and we ran out,” said a 34-year-old daily-wage worker who had been staying at the shelter for a month.

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Authorities Launch Investigation Into Safety Measures

Shelter Records and Maintenance Practices Under Scrutiny

Municipal officials said the shelter, which houses between 20 and 30 people nightly, had passed its last safety inspection nearly a year ago. Officials acknowledged that several minor repairs, including rewiring requests, were pending at the time of the incident.

Investigators are examining whether emergency exits were functional and whether the shelter’s fire extinguishers were maintained. Early findings indicate that one extinguisher was not operational.

A municipal spokesperson said the city is cooperating fully with the investigation. “We will ensure that all findings are made public and action is taken against any lapse,” the spokesperson said.

Government Orders Magisterial Inquiry

The district administration announced a magisterial inquiry to establish responsibility and identify structural or administrative failures. The inquiry team will collect statements from survivors, fire officials, shelter staff, and maintenance contractors.

Officials said the final report will be submitted within two weeks. Meanwhile, the shelter remains closed as the building undergoes structural assessment.

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Victims Identified; Families Demand Accountability

Teenager Among Dead

Authorities identified the victims as a 16-year-old boy who had sought temporary refuge at the shelter and a 42-year-old woman who had been living there for several weeks. Their families were notified shortly after the identification process.

The boy’s uncle said the teenager had recently moved to the city seeking work. “He had nowhere else to stay. We trusted that he was safe in a government facility,” he said, calling the incident “a preventable tragedy.”

Calls For Compensation and Reforms

Advocacy groups working with vulnerable populations said the city must take responsibility for failing to maintain basic safety standards. Several organizations demanded compensation for the victims’ families and the immediate overhaul of night shelters across the city.

A representative from a local NGO said shelters often operate with inadequate staffing and outdated infrastructure. “These facilities are critical for people who have no other option. The government must treat them with the same urgency and care as any other public institution,” she said.

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Shelter System Faces Renewed Scrutiny

Overcrowding and Infrastructure Challenges

Night shelters in urban centers often struggle with funding shortages, staff constraints, and overcrowding. Officials acknowledged that the shelter where the fire occurred had seen a rise in occupancy over the past weeks due to seasonal migrant arrivals.

The fire has renewed concerns about whether such facilities can handle increased demand without compromising safety. A former shelter supervisor said many buildings used as night shelters were not originally designed to house large groups overnight.

Past Incidents Highlight Systemic Issues

Records show that fire-related incidents in shelters and low-income housing clusters have occurred intermittently in recent years. In several cases, faulty wiring, unattended cooking stoves, and poor maintenance were cited as causes.

Experts said the latest incident underscores the need for regular inspections, modern electrical systems, and staff training. Some suggested installing smoke detectors and alarm systems—equipment that many shelters currently lack.

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Fire Department Calls for Updated Infrastructure

Officials Stress Need for Code Compliance

Fire officials said the shelter’s wiring appeared worn and outdated. They urged the municipal corporation to update electrical systems in all shelters and enforce strict compliance with safety codes.

A senior fire official said routine inspections often identify issues, but repairs can take months due to funding delays or administrative backlogs. “Safety cannot be optional. These delays cost lives,” he said.

Training and Awareness Also Needed

Fire department representatives said shelters should conduct evacuation drills at least twice a year. They also recommended that staff receive basic training in handling small fires, crowd management, and first-aid responses.

Officials said many lives were saved because a few residents quickly alerted others and attempted to contain the fire before firefighters arrived.

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Government Promises Stronger Oversight

Relocation of Residents and Immediate Safety Audit

The district administration said remaining residents have been relocated to nearby shelters. Additional beds, blankets, and meals were arranged through the municipal disaster management wing.

The government also announced an immediate safety audit of all shelters in the district. Inspectors will review electrical wiring, emergency exits, ventilation, and availability of firefighting equipment.

Policy Review Expected

Officials said the state government may revise safety and staffing guidelines for shelters based on the findings of the inquiry. This may include increased funding, stricter compliance checks, and potential rebuilding of older facilities.

“We cannot allow such a tragedy to repeat,” the Deputy Commissioner said.

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Looking Ahead: Calls for Reform and Support

The incident has intensified demands for improved protection for vulnerable groups who rely on shelters for security and stability. Advocates said reforms must be swift and comprehensive, including infrastructure upgrades, expanded budgets, and improved transparency.

Residents who survived the fire said they hope the tragedy leads to meaningful change. “We lost two lives. The least the city can do is make shelters safer for the rest of us,” a survivor said.

As investigators continue piecing together events leading to the fire, families wait for answers, and authorities face mounting pressure to deliver reforms that safeguard those with the fewest resources.