Delhi: At least 43 killed in fire that swept factory as workers slept inside

On Sunday, a fire broke out just before dawn when most of
the labourers were sleeping. The blaze rapidly engulfed the building, trapping
the people. Many of them died due to suffocation, doctors at hospitals that
received the bodies said.

Four fire trucks were sent to the same building in north Delhi where 43 people, mostly labourers, were killed in a blaze yesterday after smoke was seen billowing out from a balcony, the police said.

The building at the crowded Anaj Mandi on Rani Jhansi Road
was built without proper clearances, the police have said, adding its two
owners have been arrested.

The situation is under control now, officials said, adding
the fire trucks were called in after smoke was seen coming out from the
building.

The building located at a crowded place in Anaj Mandi on
Rani Jhansi Road does not have clear safety passages. The labourers apparently
lost precious time to escape since all of them were sleeping.

Fire department officials suspect a short circuit triggered
the incident. The lanes are so narrow that fire trucks couldn’t reach the
building and had to be parked some distance away. Firemen made their way
through the lanes to rescue those trapped inside the blackened building and
carried away several unconscious labourers on their backs.

The case against the owners of the factory, Rehan and his brother Imran, will be probed by the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police.

The BJP in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Prime
Minister Narendra Modi gave their condolences to the families of those who died
in the fire and also announced compensation up to Rs 10 lakh per family.