France, May 17 -- At least 27 people were killed in an inferno that charred an office block in Delhi. Yet another blaze in the capital and a spurt of fires in Mumbai has ignited calls for greater safety in projects to re-fit cities with modern comfort.

Dozens were also injured in the four-storied office block where the victims were assembling security cameras and internet routers, police said, adding 21 of those killed were female employees.

The death toll was likely to rise about 30 as many of those hurt were in critical condition.

The government offered compensation to relatives of those killed in the building which had no clearance from the fire department or had even installed fire extinguishers.

Pinku Kumar, a cab driver, was sco...