India, June 8 -- More than one-fourth of sanctioned firefighting posts are lying vacant in Delhi Fire Services (DFS), even as it moves to modernise the department's decades-old wireless communication system in the aftermath of the Hauz Rani fire tragedy that claimed 22 lives, according to official data.

An internal review of the department stated that 853 posts for firefighting staff are currently vacant out of the 3,312 sanctioned positions in the DFS.

"Moreover, of the 90 sanctioned posts of Station Officer, only 18 are occupied. The last direct recruitment for the position was conducted by the Union Public Service Commission in 2011-12," an official said on the condition of anonymity.

The staffing gaps were highlighted during an int...