NARELA INDUSTRIAL PLANT, DELHI - SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2024
07th October 2024
The June 8th blaze occurred in the early hours at Shyam Kripa Foods Pvt Ltd when approximately 10 workers were roasting pulses on the second floor of the four-storey building.
According to officials, a leaking CNG pipeline near the workers ignited, causing a powerful explosion in a nearby compressor used for peeling pulses. The force of the blast was so intense that it partially destroyed the factory, scattering debris across the street.
The Delhi Police received an emergency call at 3:30am, prompting the deployment of 16 fire engines to the scene. Fire and rescue services battled the blaze for nearly 12 hours before bringing the fire under control and rescuing the nine workers. Sadly, three of the rescued workers were declared dead on arrival at a local hospital.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer-North) Ravi Kumar Singh confirmed that factory owners Ankit Gupta and Vinay Gupta were arrested and later released on bail. They face charges including negligent conduct with fire and machinery, and causing death by negligence.
Survivor Lal Bahadur, a 35-year-old worker from Uttar Pradesh, recounted the harrowing experience: "By the time I was out, the whole building was burning. All my money, clothes, and belongings got burnt as I lived with the workers on the top floor." Bahadur expressed regret over his decision to work at the factory, citing the low pay of Rs 14,500 and the inherent risks.
The factory's layout contributed to the tragedy. The basement stored pulses, while the ground floor was used for packing. Various machines for processing pulses were located on the first and second floors. Workers lived on the top floor, which also housed sorting and winnowing equipment. A single narrow staircase connected all floors, with only one entrance/exit to the building.
Authorities revealed that while the factory possessed a valid Municipal Corporation of Delhi license until March 2025, it lacked a crucial fire safety clearance.
Pinto Kumar, a nearby security supervisor, highlighted widespread safety concerns in Narela's industrial plants. He noted the dangerous placement of compressors and transformers, as well as the absence of designated assembly points for workers during emergencies.
He said: “Transformers are at the entrance of every factory. The danger it poses is huge. You go to any factory, there is no assembling point for any worker in case there is an accident or emergency. If there is an assembling space, it is being used for storage.” This incident underscores the urgent need for stricter safety measures and regulations in industrial plants to prevent such tragedies in the future.