Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 31: Four people were killed and two others injured after a major fire broke out at a shoe manufacturing factory in Mangolpuri Industrial Area Phase-I in northwest Delhi on Friday night, October 30.
The fire was reported at around 9.32 pm at a factory located at B-293/294 in the industrial area. Following the alert, the Delhi Fire Service rushed 20 fire tenders to the spot, while police and emergency personnel launched rescue operations.
According to fire officials, the blaze initially broke out in the basement of the factory, which was being used for manufacturing and storing footwear. Although firefighters managed to contain the fire within the basement, thick smoke spread through the building, trapping several workers on the upper floors.
Fire personnel rescued six people who were found unconscious inside the factory. According to fire officer ADO Paras Kumar, one person was rescued from the staircase on the third floor, while five others were brought out from the fourth floor.
All six were immediately shifted to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Mangolpuri. However, doctors declared four of them dead, while the remaining two were admitted for treatment. Their condition was reported to be critical in subsequent media reports.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer District) Vikram Singh said police teams reached the spot soon after receiving information and coordinated the rescue operation with the Fire Service.
Police personnel also secured the surrounding area to prevent public interference and ensure the smooth movement of emergency teams.
Fire officials later confirmed that the blaze had been completely extinguished and cooling operations were underway to prevent any further flare-ups.
Meanwhile, police have initiated an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the fire. The factory owner has been summoned for questioning, while the contractor and other employees are also being questioned to establish how many workers were present inside the premises when the incident occurred.
The identities of the deceased and the circumstances leading to the tragedy are being verified. Further investigation is underway.