Fire in Delhi's paint factory claims 11 lives, 4 injured; Chemical blast suspected

Tragedy struck when a fire engulfed a paint factory situated in Dayal Market, Alipur, Delhi on Thursday, February 15, resulting in the loss of 11 lives with 4 individuals sustaining injuries. Initial reports indicated 7 casualties, but the toll rose to 11 by Friday morning, while the injured were rushed to Raja Harishchandra Hospital for treatment. The blaze, which started around 5:30 pm, prompted a swift response from 22 fire brigade vehicles, eventually bringing the inferno under control by 9 pm.

The fire, believed to have ignited following an explosion within the factory premises, posed a grave threat, particularly due to the presence of hazardous chemicals, with the intensity of the flames causing damage to nearby residences. Eyewitness Sumit Bhardwaj recounted efforts to combat the blaze, highlighting futile attempts to douse it manually before the arrival of fire brigade personnel, who utilized three different approaches to contain the fire.

Meanwhile, amidst the chaos, anxious relatives like Sunil Thakur await news of missing loved ones, including his brother Anil Thakur, who was reportedly employed at the paint factory and remains unaccounted for, adding to the anguish and uncertainty surrounding the tragic incident.