New Delhi: Fire in illegal workshop kills 4, one arrested

Four people died when a massive fire broke out in an illegal steam pressing unit in central Delhi's Bidanpura area, near Karol Bagh. A case was registered against the owner of the house.

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New Delhi: Fire in illegal workshop kills 4, one arrested
The area is located in a congested lane of Bidanpura, near Gaffar market and Karol Bagh (Photo- K Asif).

In Short

  • Firefighters said dousing the fire was a challenge
  • They believe that an inflammable solvent similar to petrol was being used in the workshop
  • Firetenders found it difficult to reach the spot due to narrow lanes

Four people died when a massive fire broke out in an illegal steam pressing unit in central Delhi's Bidanpura area, near Karol Bagh. Police said the owner of the house, Ajay Khurana (45), was arrested and a case under Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) registered.

The deceased have been identified as Began Prashad, 55, Ram Naresh, 40, Aarti, 20 and Asha, 40, all worked in factory. Fire fighters managed to rescue one person identified as Ajeet,25. He is also received 45% burn and is under treatment.

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The police said six workers were ironing clothes on the first floor of the building. The fire broke out when Ajeet, was putting a white solvent in a spraying machine and it accidently spilled on the floor, the police said.

A heavily-built man, who was sitting near the door, tried to escape but got stuck. He blocked the route for others who were inside the building, the officer added. The firefighters said dousing the fire was a challenge as the lanes leading to the house were narrow and the fire tenders could not enter the congested area.

"The area where the workshop was running is a residential area but people are running small factories which are hazardous. The lanes are so narrow that the firetenders also could not enter for rescue operations," said an officer. An officer from the Delhi Fire Service said they had to take the hose pipes atop the terraces of adjacent houses to douse the blaze.

Though, the fire officials took one hour to douse the flame but its nature was massive. Fire officials believe that the workers were using solvent, similar to petrol, which is highly inflammable liquid which caught fire. It soon engulfed the small container which was placed inside the factory.

The inflammable liquid generate black smoke followed by rapid fire that engulfed entire premises in quick time. The inflammable liquid generally used during steam pressing to obtain shine on cloth. An eye witness said that the nature of fire massive and it did not given time to the deceased to evacuate the factory.

The area is located in congested lane of Bidanpura, near Gaffar market and Karol Bagh.

"We have recommended Delhi police to register FIR against owner of the commercial unit which is located at residential locality. The owner is doing illegal commercial operation and therefore not having fire safety license," said Atul Garg, chief fire officer, Delhi said.