In brief
A fire broke out Friday night in a shoe factory in Delhi’s Mangolpuri industrial area, killing four and injuring two. The blaze started in the basement and spread rapidly, trapping workers on upper floors. Police have launched an investigation to uncover how the fire began.
At least four people lost their lives and two were injured when a fire broke out Friday night at a shoe factory in Delhi’s Mangolpuri industrial area, police said Saturday. The tragedy unfolded inside a footwear manufacturing unit, a police official confirmed.
"Six people were rescued from inside the factory in an unconscious condition and rushed to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Mangolpuri," a police officer told reporters. "Four were declared dead at the hospital, while the other two are undergoing treatment," the same officer added. The casualties were identified as factory workers, according to a police statement.
Preliminary investigations by fire officials indicate the blaze began in the basement of the facility. As the flames spread, thick smoke quickly filled the building, trapping workers on the upper levels. The rapid spread and limited exits contributed to the high death toll. Firefighters battled the inferno for several hours before containing it, as reported by the police.
The factory is located in Mangolpuri, a residential and industrial area of Delhi that has seen recent growth in small manufacturing units. However, details about the factory’s ownership or safety record were not released by authorities at the time of reporting.
Delhi police have announced that they have ordered an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. The investigation will examine building safety standards, electrical wiring, and the presence of flammable materials. Experts are expected to review the factory’s compliance with fire and safety regulations, though no conclusions have been drawn yet.
The incident raises questions about safety protocols in Delhi’s burgeoning informal manufacturing sector. Concerns have been voiced over whether factories comply with fire safety codes, particularly regarding storage of flammable chemicals and accessibility of firefighting equipment. Some industry observers have urged the government to enforce stricter inspections, but specific statements from officials or industry groups were not provided in the police briefing.
While the immediate cause of the fire remains under investigation, the police are collecting statements from survivors, witnesses, and factory supervisors. They are also reviewing CCTV footage from the premises and surrounding area to identify how the fire ignited and spread. The investigation is expected to report findings once forensic analysis is completed.
In a related development, the Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital confirmed it had received six patients from the site of the blaze. Two of those patients died in the hospital’s intensive care unit, while two are receiving treatment for smoke inhalation and related injuries. The hospital has not yet released details about the remaining patients’ conditions.
With this tragedy, Delhi’s labor and safety authorities face pressure to reaffirm their commitment to workplace safety standards. The Department of Labor has not commented on the incident, and no statement from the factory’s management has been issued so far. The community remains distressed over the loss of life and the uncertain causes behind the flames.
Until the investigation concludes, the cause of the fire remains an open question.