Rubber factory fire kills 3 in Delhi

NEW DELHI, July 13: Three people, including two women have died in a major fire that broke out this

morning at a rubber factory in northeast Delhi's Jhilmil industrial area. 26 fire engines were sent to

the spot shortly after the fire broke out at around 9 am. The cause of the fire was not known at that

time and an investigation was being carried out in this regard.

An official said that the license of the factory had expired. "The license of that factory had already

expired and it was not renewed," Ranen Kumar, deputy commissioner, factory license department,

East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC), was quoted by news agency Press Trust of India. In a

statement, Mr Kumar said a detailed investigation would be done.

As per the norms, the official said, a no objection certificate (NOC) from the fire department was not

required for an area measuring below 250 square metres, adding that the unit was operating in an

area of 110 sq. m.

Mr Kumar said the online license renewal facility was available with the EDMC. He added in the last

few days, special camps were also organised for services related to renewal of license in industrial

areas.

1. The fire broke out at a rubber factory in Delhi's Jhilmil industrial area

2. The building consists of a ground floor and three upper floors

3. It took fire fighters more than two hours to extinguish the fire

Fire officials were notified about it at around 9:25 am. It took fire fighters, who made their way to

the building in the middle of a narrow and congested lane, more than two hours to extinguish the

fire.

Search and rescue operations were being carried out at the time of reporting this, and fire

department officials were checking if any more people are trapped in the building.

The hardware factory where the fire broke out manufactures plastic and rubber items - mainly

household tools and equipment. The building consists of a ground floor and three upper floors.

Despite being an industrial area, there are several residential buildings located near the factory. The

area is congested and unplanned, and the lanes are narrow, highlighting the lack of proper planning.

In a similar incident in January last year, 17 people - ten women and seven men - died in a massive

blaze at a firecracker storage unit in outer Delhi's Bawana industrial area.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal visited the site and announced Rs. 5 lakh compensation each to the

families of those who died in the fire at the rubber factory. "Shocked to know about three deaths in

a factory fire in Jhilmil Industrial area. Fire Services personnel tried their best to bring the fire under

control in hostile conditions. I am visiting the site with Industries Minister," he said in a tweet.

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