A devastating fire broke out in a paint factory located in the Alipur district in the northern region of New Delhi, India, on the evening of February 15, leading to the loss of 11 lives and causing injuries to four others.
The fire started on the ground level of a complex that also housed a chemical warehouse. It rapidly spread, trapping individuals on the higher floors with no viable exit routes.
It took significant effort to control the fire. A total of 22 fire trucks and approximately 150 firefighters labored for over four hours to fully extinguish the blaze, starting from late Thursday evening. The rescue operations were impeded due to unrelated road barricades established by protesting farmers.
The aftermath presented a grim scene. The victims’ burned bodies were found amidst the debris. The four injured survivors were immediately transported to Babu Jagjeevan Ram Hospital and Raja Harish Chandra Hospital in Delhi for medical attention.
Local authorities have begun preliminary investigations to ascertain the fire’s origin. An explosion, likely triggered by the factory’s chemicals, was reported before the fire. Officials highlighted the lack of requisite fire safety measures in the factory, such as firefighting equipment and multiple escape routes. The building’s single staircase design significantly obstructed escape attempts, contributing to the high number of casualties.
This incident underscores the recurring noncompliance with the National Building Code of India, which prescribes strict construction and safety standards, including fire safety measures. However, the adherence to these regulations remains uneven across the country’s rapidly developing urban and industrial areas.