New Delhi(08/12/2019): In the devastating fire in a multi-storey building housing a factory in a congested market area of National Capital, at least 43 workers died in the massive fire. It was almost 4:00am, when the blaze broke out at the old quarters, whose narrow lanes are lined with many small manufacturing and storage units.
Delhi Police confirmed the huge death toll in the early morning fire in Delhi. More than 56 people have been injured in the fire, according to the last figure. 30 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the fire and to carry out rescue operations immediately after the lead came over.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has announced a compensation of ₹ 10 lakh to families of those killed with additional assistance of one lakh to those who were injured.
The government has also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and sought a report within seven days.
“The Anaj Mandi fire tragedy is a very sad incident. 43 people have died. I have ordered a magisterial inquiry into it. Compensation of ₹ 10 lakh each will be given to families of those who died and ₹ 1 lakh each to those who are injured. The expense of medical treatment of those injured will be borne by the government,” Kejriwal said after visiting the site.
The Delhi Police has registered a case against the owner of the factory and the case has been transferred to the crime branch for further investigation.
Union Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri admitting loopholes on many counts said, the government will look at them only after getting detailed reports, but this is the time to help those affected by the massive fire that engulfed a factory in Delhi’s Rani Jhansi Road area, early on Sunday.
He was the first Union Minister to reach the spot and called the tragedy a “very sad incident”.
He also told media that this was not the time to make “political comments”.
“People come from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. They are our brothers and sisters. They are our citizens and it is not the issue who comes from where, I want to tell on record that we should provide all necessary help to the affected families,” Puri added.
PM Narendra Modi announced ex gratia of ₹ 2 lakh each for the family of those who lost their lives in the fire. He also approved ₹ 50,000 each for those seriously injured in the fire.
