New Delhi: Tragedy struck in the early hours of Monday when 18-year-old Arjun, the only son of a sanitation worker, died in a fire at a night shelter in Vasant Vihar, operated by SPYM NGO. Arjun reportedly re-entered the blaze to retrieve a smartphone he had bought with his own earnings, becoming trapped in the flames. Another resident, Vikas, also perished, while seven people were staying at the shelter at the time.

Arjun had lost his mother as an infant and was raised solely by his father. His aunt, Santoshi, recalled that he had been working as housekeeping staff at a nearby cinema and had recently purchased the phone and some clothes with his earnings. “He actually managed to escape the fire, but in a desperate attempt to retrieve that phone, he went back inside and never returned,” she said.

Locals described Arjun as a polite and hardworking boy who cared deeply for his father. Survivors said the fire spread rapidly overnight, with residents trying to control the blaze before the fire brigade arrived. A preliminary investigation suggests the fire was likely caused by a short circuit, and authorities noted that although a fire extinguisher was available, the caretaker lacked the training to use it.