A centre belonging to New Delhi non-profit Goonj was burnt down after a stray firecracker entered the building, its founder Anshu Gupta said on Facebook on Friday. Gupta said the fire raged on in the 3000 sq ft space for seven hours, and it took 10 fire trucks till 2 am to put it out. Tonnes of material that the organisation collects for its humanitarian relief efforts, including woollens and blankets for the winter, turned to ash, Gupta noted.

"We have losses of lakhs in blankets and other material. We're now looking through what is left behind to figure out what can be recovered," said one of the team members of the non-profit. The organisation undertakes disaster relief and community development, among other initiatives, across the country. It was founded in 1999 by Gupta, who was given the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2015 for his work in the social sector.

A few volunteers have set up a page for people who want to help the organisation.