In brief
A fire that erupted on Friday night in a factory in Delhi’s Mangolpuri industrial zone trapped workers on upper floors and spread rapidly from the basement. Six workers were rescued in unconscious condition and taken to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital, where four died and two are receiving treatment. Police have launched an inquiry into what caused the blaze.
A fire broke out on Friday night in a shoe factory in Delhi’s Mangolpuri industrial area, killing four workers and injuring two others, police said Saturday.
Fire officials reported the blaze began in the basement of the footwear manufacturing unit, and smoke poured into the building, trapping employees on the upper floors.
Six people were rescued from inside the factory in an unconscious condition and rushed to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Mangolpuri. Four were declared dead at the hospital, while the other two are undergoing treatment, a police official said.
"Six people were rescued from inside the factory in an unconscious condition and rushed to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Mangolpuri," the police source said. "Four were declared dead at the hospital, while the other two are undergoing treatment."
Police have ordered an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. The preliminary review suggests the fire started in the basement, but no cause has yet been confirmed.
The incident occurred in the late hours of Friday night, with the factory’s upper floors forced to evacuate through narrow stairwells. Firefighters battled the flames for several hours before the blaze was contained.
Residents in the nearby Mangolpuri neighbourhood reported heavy smoke and the roar of helicopters as emergency crews worked to gain access to the factory’s upper levels.
The factory’s owners have yet to comment on the incident or on workplace safety measures. No further details were released by authorities.
Emergency services in Delhi responded promptly to the call, deploying personnel and equipment to a building that had previously met standard safety codes. Police are reviewing those records as part of their investigation.
No other injuries or incidents have been reported in the surrounding area as a result of the blaze.
Delhi authorities have urged all local businesses to review fire safety procedures in the wake of the tragedy.
With the investigation underway, authorities are seeking information from factory workers and witnesses to determine how the fire was sparked in the basement.
