India, May 4 -- A massive iron grille covering a major section of the building, a single point of entry and exit, exploding air conditioners, and intense heat and smoke blocking the staircase were among the challenges fire officials listed while battling the blaze at a four-storey residential building in Vivek Vihar that killed nine people, including a one-and-a-half-year-old toddler.

At least 15 people were rescued by 14 teams of the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) on Sunday morning. Officials received a call reporting the blaze on the third floor of an 800-square-yard plot at 3.48am. The fire was triggered on the second floor at the back of the building and gutted all floors above, officials said.

Fire officer Manoj Tyagi, one of the first ...