Seventeen people were killed in a fire that broke out at a two-storey firecracker factory in northwest Delhi’s Bawana Industrial Area.
“Thirteen people died on the first floor, three on the ground and one in the basement,” NDTV reported, quoting a fire services official.
Delhi Fire Service was alerted about the fire at 6.20 pm, following which, 15 fire tenders were deputed to the spot.
“It was a make-4 Fire call. The fire had broken out from the basement of the factory and eventually spread to the ground floor and the upper floors,” Atul Garg, the chief of the fire service told the Indian Express.
Some of the trapped workers jumped off the terrace of the building and sustained injuries, according to reports. It was not clear how many more could be trapped inside.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted that the government was keeping a close watch on rescue operations.
Earlier minister Satyender Jain said that Delhi government had ordered an enquiry.
The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.
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