Delhi fire: The cause of the fire is not known, officials said, adding that over 50 people were inside the factory when the fire broke out.
Most of the people who died were labourers, officials said.
The cause of the fire — which was reported at 5:22 am — is not known, officials said, adding that over 50 people were inside the factory operating from a residential area when the fire broke out. Thirty fire trucks are at the site and have taken the situation under control. The fire is suspected to have started at the workshop of the bag manufacturing factory.
The factory was operating in an area, whose narrow and congested lanes are lined with many small manufacturing and storage units.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel have reached the area to assist in rescue operations and are currently inside the building to check if anyone is stuck.
Chaotic scenes were witnessed at the site of the fire incident with relatives and locals rushing to the area. “I got a call from his friend informing that he has been injured in the incident. I have no clue which hospital he has been taken to,” said Manoj, whose brother was working in a handbag manufacturing unit operating from the premises.
Many people trapped inside were rescued and rushed to RML Hospital, LNJP and Hindu Rao Hospital, fire officials said. Some of the people were brought dead to LNJP hospital. Doctors at the hospital confirmed smoke inhalation as the primary cause of the death. Some of the bodies were charred, news agency PTI reported.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “extremely horrific”.
Narendra Modi✔@narendramodi
The fire in Delhi’s Anaj Mandi on Rani Jhansi Road is extremely horrific. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. Wishing the injured a quick recovery. Authorities are providing all possible assistance at the site of the tragedy.
“V v tragic news. Rescue operations going on. Firemen doing their best. Injured are being taken to hospitals,” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted. Mr Kejriwal also visited the area after meeting the injured in the hospital.
Chaotic scenes were witnessed at the site of the fire incident with relatives and locals rushing to the area.
Imran Hussain, a minister in the Mr Kejriwal’s government, said that an investigation will be conducted into the incident. “It is a tragic incident. Investigation will be conducted and action will be taken against whoever is responsible for it…,” Mr Hussain tweeted.
Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted:
Amit Shah✔@AmitShah
Tragic loss of precious lives in the fire accident in New Delhi. My deepest condolences with families of those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the early recovery of the injured.
Have instructed concerned authorities to provide all possible assistance on urgent basis.
The traffic police have asked people not to use Rani Jhansi flyover near New Delhi railway station as the road has been closed due to the incident.
Today’s incident is the worst fire tragedy seen by the city since a similar incident in Bawana last year in which 17 labourers were charred to death.
With inputs from agencies
Prasanta Patnaik