According to data from the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), fire-related fatalities in Delhi have surged more than fourfold over the past decade. The annual death toll rose sharply from 346 in 2020-21 to a record 1,452 in 2024-25, with the proportion of deaths per fire call increasing from about 1% a decade ago to nearly 4% recently. This alarming trend has been attributed to lax regulations and rampant violations of building codes. For instance, a tragic fire in Malviya Nagar resulted in 21 deaths due to severe violations, including operating beyond sanctioned room limits. Delhi's Home Minister Ashish Sood acknowledged the rising trend in fire incidents and casualties, urging departments to enhance fire safety compliance and public awareness. The DFS has reported a significant increase in fire calls, from 23,242 in 2014-15 to 36,568 in 2024-25. The review highlighted that while the complexity of fire incidents has increased, the response system must adapt swiftly to mitigate the rising death toll.