11 Killed, 4 Injured in Fire At Paint Factory In Delhi's Alipur, CM Kejriwal Announces Rs 10 Lakh Ex-gratia for Kin of Deceased

At least 11 people were killed and four injured after a deadly fire broke out in a paint factory in outer Delhi’s Alipur area on Thursday evening. The charred bodies of the 11 victims were recovered from the factory, located in Alipur’s Dayalpur market, a Delhi Fire Services (DFS) official said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday visited the site of the incident and announced Rs 10 lakh to be provided each to the kin of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh each to the people with major injuries and Rs 20,000 each to the people with minor injuries.

“It is a very sad incident. The fire broke out in a paint factory. 11 people have lost their lives and 4 others are injured. We will provide Rs 10 lakhs each to the families of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh each to the people with major injuries and Rs 20,000 each to the people with minor injuries. It is being informed that the fire tenders were late, I will order an inquiry for the same. Actions will be taken against the factory owner for running the factory in a residential area…” Kejriwal was quoted by ANI as saying.

According to the fire department, the fire was in two paint and chemical godowns. Police noted that the fire was preceded by a blast, probably caused by chemicals kept in the factory and spread to nearby buildings, including a drug rehabilitation centre and eight shops.

“The deceased were moved to Babu Jagjeevan Ram Hospital and the four injured persons were shifted to Raja Harish Chandra Hospital. The deceased persons are yet to be identified,” the fire department said in a statement.

The injured persons were identified as 42-year-old Jyoti, 20-year-old Divya, 34-year-old Mohit Solanki and 35-year-old Constable Kamabir.

In a post on microblogging site X, DFS chief Atul Garg said, “Despite best efforts by DFS, 11 labours died in a paint factory fire in Alipur area Delhi. A fire call was received @ 5.30 pm and 22 tenders were at the site but due to the explosion building collapsed and workers were trapped inside the factory and couldn’t be saved. Very very unfortunate day.”

An official from the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) said a call reporting fire was received at 5.25 pm and 22 tenders were pressed into service.

The fire was contained by around 9 pm, he said, adding, the cooling off operation was underway. According to police, the fire was preceded by a blast in the factory. “Teams have been formed to investigate the matter,” said an officer.

(With PTI inputs)