The flames are already roaring in the capital, Delhi.
The city’s skyline has been ablaze for more than 24 hours now.
The blaze has started in a residential area on the northern edge of the city, at the junction of Kaur and Kutch streets, according to local media reports.
The flames started around 7 p.m. local time on Tuesday and have spread to other parts of the sprawling city, with the capital’s police chief, the city’s Deputy Commissioner and a few other officials among the dead.
“We have registered a case of arson.
The accused are absconding and the fire brigade is still on the spot,” said Preeti Singh, the chief of police for Delhi’s eastern suburbs.
Authorities have warned people in the vicinity of the fire to stay indoors and stay away from areas of heavy smoke and fire.
“There is an ongoing situation in the area and the authorities are on the ground, but we have not identified the suspects,” Singh said.
Officials in the southern city of Hyderabad said they were also monitoring the situation.