The incident, which began around 8.45pm, was preceded by a series of explosions that reportedly trapped at least 10 people inside the building
Two workers died and several others were injured after a fire, believed to have been triggered by exploding lithium batteries, broke out in a commercial building in Old Govindpura, Shahdara, on Tuesday evening. The blaze, which reignited hours later, has raised serious questions about the safety standards and working conditions inside the four-storey structure.
The incident, which began around 8.45pm, was preceded by a series of explosions that reportedly trapped at least 10 people inside the building. According to Delhi Police, commercial operations inside the premises included a power bank battery assembly unit on the first floor and an ethnic garment workshop on the second and third floors. The ground floor was being used as worker accommodation.
Authorities confirmed that the fire originated on the first floor, where five workers were present. Three of them managed to escape by jumping out of the building. However, two others — 20-year-old Md Nusrat and 28-year-old Md Tanveer — were found dead in a washroom, having succumbed to suffocation and burn injuries. The injured were identified as Faizal, 21, and Asif, 18. A fifth worker, Musharraf, 25, escaped unhurt.
Musharraf, speaking to local media, said: “We assemble batteries and also charge the power banks. I think one or two devices got overcharged and the battery exploded. It happened in seconds. We tried to run, but the explosions kept getting bigger.”
The fire flared up again around 4am on Wednesday. Fire services confirmed a second outbreak caused by residual combustible material. “Two fire tenders were sent, and the small fire was brought under control,” said a Delhi Fire Service official.
By morning, the street outside was littered with scorched lithium batteries. Sukhvinder Singh, a neighbour, said: “We didn’t know so many batteries were being stored there. Our house is next door. Anything could have happened.”
Families of the victims have alleged gross negligence and unsafe conditions inside the building. Md Nusrat’s father, Mohabbat Ali, said his son had been working at the factory for over five years and had been the family’s main earner. “He worked 10 to 12 hours in cramped conditions. We only want justice,” he said.
The building, according to locals, is tightly packed between other residential and commercial structures, with no visible fire exits. “I was inside my house when I heard the blasts. Men were screaming for help,” recalled Singh.
Tanveer’s brother-in-law, Riyaz Ahmed Khan, said the young man had recently moved into the building temporarily. “He wanted to become independent and pay off his father’s debts. We only found out about the fire the next morning,” he said.
Police have registered a case against unidentified individuals and are working to trace the building’s owner and the operators of the lithium battery unit. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Prashant Gautam confirmed an investigation is underway. “Efforts are being made to identify the factory owner and determine responsibility,” he said.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers of unregulated industrial activity in densely populated urban areas, where lax oversight and poor enforcement of safety standards can lead to deadly consequences.
