India, Jan. 30 -- Calling it a "tragedy waiting to happen", residents of Lokhandwala Township in Kandivali East said illegal parking of autorickshaws caused a critical delay in fire engines entering a residential complex where a fire broke out late on Wednesday night, forcing residents to tackle the blaze on their own.

The fire was reported around 11pm from the kitchen of a first-floor flat in Highland building No 5. Fire brigade vehicles reached the locality within seven minutes of the distress call, but were unable to enter the housing complex for nearly 15 minutes as hundreds of autorickshaws were parked on both sides of the approach road, blocking access to the society gate.

Residents said the delay could have proved fatal had the f...