Former CCI Chairman Dhanendra Kumar died after a fire caused by a suspected AC blast at his Delhi home. Locals questioned why fire teams arrived nearly 50 minutes late.

Former Competition Commission of India (CCI) chairman Dhanendra Kumar dies in a fire, Delhi House Fire. Former Competition Commission of India (CCI) chairman Dhanendra Kumar dies among victims of fire at Hauz Khas home, the emergency and services sector had received serious scrutiny after deadly fire accident in Delhi. The 79-year-old retired bureaucrat died on Thursday after reportedly inhaling heavy smoke from a fire that began late Wednesday night. The blaze is thought to have started when an air-conditioner exploded in a room in the house, police said. Family, staff and neighbours said fire brigade teams arrived around 50 minutes after the fire broke out, prompting anger and frustration among local residents. Neighbours Attempted to Manage the Fire. Hauz Khas Enclave residents said they desperately tried to extinguish the blaze before firefighters arrived. To put out the fire they used water pipes, buckets and anything accessible. One neighbor said no fire extinguishers were in close proximity at the time and the situation got worse. “We were doing everything and there was no fire extinguisher. We had also messaged the local RWA group to request help.” She also challenged the limited emergency facilities even though this was a well-established colony. “If such delays,” which could happen for someone who served in such a senior government position, “will happen to the average citizen?” she added. How the Fire Started. Police investigators said they believe the fire started with an explosion inside the indoor unit of an AC installed in the room of Kumar’s son, Gourav. Kumar was at home with his wife, son and two domestic helpers when the incident occurred. The fire spread very quickly after the AC blast, the family manager said. Kumar was said to have got trapped in a washroom and then had been found unconscious due to smoke inhalation. He had no burn injuries. First, his son Gourav helped his wheelchair-bound mother escape safely. Then he returned inside the burning house accompanied by domestic staff to find his father. Ultimately, the group pulled Kumar out but by then, Kumar was unconscious. Kumar and Gourav were also brought to AIIMS Trauma Centre. Gourav was reported to have been in no danger, but Kumar died the following morning. Questions Raised Over Delay by Fire Brigade. Delhi has seen serious criticisms once more of its emergency response system and its preparedness in case of fire incidents. Local residents claimed that the firefighters turned up a long time after numerous calls to reach out to them. Officers and emergency services rushed to the scene right at once, Delhi Police officials said, after the PCR call. No foul play is suspected, authorities said. A further electrical inspection will then identify the actual cause of the fire and the alleged AC explosion. Since this shocking incident has occurred, residents have called for better emergency response infrastructure, quicker fire management times, and improved fire warning in household buildings. But many more residents did not want the incident to happen again: and it still is.