According to authorities, the fire was preceded by a blast, likely triggered by chemicals stored in the factory premises
A tragic incident unfolded on Thursday evening in outer Delhi’s Alipur, where a massive fire engulfed paint and chemical warehouses, resulting in the loss of 11 lives and injuring four others, as reported, citing the fire department.
The fire, which erupted in two separate godowns, claimed the lives of 11 individuals, whose identities are yet to be confirmed. The injured have been moved to Babu Jagjeevan Ram Hospital and Raja Harish Chandra Hospital for medical attention.
According to authorities, the fire was preceded by a blast, likely triggered by chemicals stored in the factory premises. The impact of the explosion extended to nearby houses and shops, igniting additional fires and causing harm to residents in the vicinity, as per reports.Responding promptly to the distress call received at 5:25 pm, the Delhi Fire Services deployed 22 fire-tenders to combat the inferno. The efforts of firefighters led to the containment of the blaze by 9 pm, with ongoing operations to cool off the affected areas.
An eyewitness, identified as Sumit Bharadwaj, recounted the harrowing incident, stating, “The incident took place around 5:30 pm. Everyone gathered here after hearing an explosion. We tried a lot to douse the fire. Around 7-8 fire tenders (initially) reached here and started the firefighting operation”.
“By the time police reached the spot, damage was already done. We made several complaints earlier regarding our concerns but nothing happened. Fire catches this place easier than petrol. Government always engages in blame-game, how can we expect help from them?” said a local,Devendra Saini.
“Paint work includes mostly inflammable substances and that factory was situated so close to us. We raised concerns but nobody paid attention,” alleged Saini.
This tragic event highlights the importance of stringent safety measures in handling hazardous materials and highlights the critical role of emergency responders in such crises.
