New Delhi: A devastating fire at a food processing unit in Delhi’s Narela Industrial Area has claimed the lives of three workers and left six others critically injured. The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, causing chaos and prompting a major emergency response.
According to Atul Garg, chief of the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), the initial fire call was received at 3:38 am. “We immediately dispatched 16 fire tenders to the scene,” Garg stated. Despite the prompt response, the fire had already wreaked significant havoc by the time firefighters arrived.
The blaze erupted at a Moong Dal factory located in the outer reaches of Delhi. Preliminary investigations by police indicate that the fire was sparked by a gas leak in one of the factory’s pipes. As the flames spread, they caused the factory’s compressor to overheat, ultimately resulting in a powerful explosion.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer North) Ravi Kumar Singh provided further details about the rescue efforts. “A total of nine men were pulled from the factory, which was engulfed in flames. Tragically, three of them were declared dead on arrival by the doctors, while the others were rushed to Safdarjung Hospital,” Singh reported. The deceased have been identified as Beerpal (42), Shyam (24), and Ram (30).
The incident has left the local community in shock, as many workers from nearby factories witnessed the blaze and the subsequent rescue operations. Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos and panic as thick smoke and flames billowed from the factory.
Several workers sustained severe burn injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at Safdarjung and other nearby hospitals. Medical teams are working around the clock to provide critical care to the injured.
Authorities have identified the owners of the factory as Ankit Gupta and Vinay Gupta, residents of Rohini. A case is being registered against the duo under appropriate legal sections as investigations into the incident continue. Police are looking into potential violations of safety regulations and other lapses that may have contributed to the fire.
This incident has raised serious questions about industrial safety standards in the Narela Industrial Area. Despite previous incidents and warnings, many factories in the area reportedly lack adequate safety measures. Workers have expressed concerns about their working conditions, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations to prevent such tragedies.
The Delhi Fire Service and police officials are expected to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and the subsequent explosion. They will also be examining whether the factory had complied with all necessary fire safety protocols and if there were any lapses in safety measures.
In the aftermath of the fire, there is a growing demand for improved industrial safety measures and stricter oversight in the Narela Industrial Area to ensure the protection of workers. As the investigation progresses, the focus will be on holding those responsible accountable and preventing similar incidents in the future.
The Delhi government has assured that all necessary support will be provided to the victims’ families and those injured in the fire. The tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of stringent safety measures in industrial units to safeguard the lives of workers.
