17 Killed as Fire Breaks Out in Cracker Factory in Delhi
NEW DELHI : A massive blaze broke out at a three-storeyed plastic godown in New Delhi’s Bawana industrial area. Around 17 people are reported to have lost their lives in the fire. The casualties are mostly labourers who reportedly found themselves locked inside the factory.
The fire spread rapidly since a lot of plastic material caught fire instantly. Four bodies who were recovered first were labourers who died of suffocation. A few other labourers died while trying to jump from the windows of the building.
The fire broke out in a cracker factory in Bawana industrial area in northwest Delhi on Saturday evening, the fire department said. A few of the workers, to save themselves, jumped off the terrace of the building and sustained injuries, according to reports.
According to a Fire Services official. A few people are reported to be trapped inside the building and rescue operations are on.”13 people died on the first floor, three on the ground and one in the basement,” a fire services official said. 15 to 20 fire engines are trying to douse the fire which has now been contained to the second floor.
A few workers are still feared to be trapped inside the factory. Fifteen fire tenders managed to douse the flames but rescue operations are still underway, Chief Fire Officer Atul Garg said. The police, however, disputed the death toll, and said four people had been killed in the fire that broke out in Bawana’s F-block.
The Delhi Fire Services received a call about the fire at the factory around 6.20 pm and 10 fire tenders were rushed to the spot initially. Five more fire tenders were sent to the spot later.
A Delhi Fire Services official said that the fire started from the basement and ground floor of the building, but spread upwards quickly.Authorities said that people died because of the fire as well as due to asphyxiation. The cause of the blaze is yet to be ascertained.
The Delhi government ordered an inquiry into the fire. “Keeping close watch on rescue operations,” Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted. Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal tweeted to say that the government is keeping a close watch on the rescue operations. “Very sad to hear about the large number of casualties,” he tweeted.
With inputs from PTI
