43 killed in Delhi blaze

New Delhi: In one of the worst fire accidents in the city, 43 people were killed after a massive blaze ripped through a four-storey building housing illegal manufacturing units in north Delhi's Anaj Mandi area on Sunday morning.

The incident is the second most severe fire in the national capital after the Uphaar Cinema tragedy that claimed 59 lives and left over 100 injured.

A preliminary probe suggested that short circuit triggered the blaze, an official said, adding that the building neither had safety equipment nor had fire clearance from Delhi Fire Service.

Police arrested the building owner, Rehan, and his manager, Furkan, in the matter. A case has been registered under section 304 of the Indian Penal Code against them.

Most of the people working in the units were fast asleep when the fire broke out in the second floor of the building in the early hours and 30 fire tenders were pressed into service, fire officials said.

Nearly 150 fire personnel carried out the rescue operation and pulled out 63 people from the building. While 43 labourers died, many others were injured including two fire personnel, fire officials said. The congested area made rescue operations difficult.

Firemen had to cut window grills to access the building. Chaotic scenes were witnessed at the site of the fire accident which was clogged with bystanders and politicians arriving in convoys.

Firemen made their way through narrow lanes to rescue those trapped inside the blackened building and carried many unconscious labourers on their backs.

At the three hospitals where the dead and injured were taken - RML, LNJP and Hindu Roa - distraught relatives had a hard time finding their family members.

Thirty-four people were brought dead to LNJP hospital and smoke inhalation was the primary cause of the death. Some of the bodies were charred, Dr Kishore Singh, Medical Superintendent, LNJP, said. The Delhi government ordered a probe into the incident and sought a detailed report within seven days.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the victims, who hailed from the state.