Delhi: 27 dead in massive fire; Kejriwal orders magistrate probe
At least 27 persons were killed and several injured after a massive fire broke out in a multi-story commercial complex near Delhi's Mundka Metro Station on Friday. Firemen were engaged in rescue operations till Saturday morning as over 40 people were feared trapped in the rubble. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal ordered a magistrate probe into the incident.
What do we know so far?
The fire started at 4:40 pm on Friday, however, the blaze engulfed the entire building till late at night, reported The Indian Express. Rescuers found several charred bodies lying on the floor after the fire was doused on a few floors. Over 100 people with burn injuries were shifted to hospitals. The death toll could rise as many were feared trapped on various floors.
Video of the fire incident shared on Twitter
FIR registered, building owners arrested
Varun and Satish Goel—owners of the factory where the blaze reportedly erupted—were arrested in connection with the incident in which their father was also killed, reported India Today. The duo has been booked under IPC Sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 120 (Criminal conspiracy), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).
PM Modi announces Rs. 2 lakh ex gratia
"Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a tragic fire in Delhi. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I wish the injured a speedy recovery," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted. He also announced Rs. 2 lakh compensation from the PM National Relief Fund to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 relief for the injured.
CM Kejriwal, President Kovind also expressed shock
Kejriwal, who is expected to visit the site on Saturday, expressed shock over the tragic incident. He also declared an exgratia of Rs. 10 lakh for the kin of the deceased. "Our firemen try their best to control the fire and save lives. God bless all," he tweeted. President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted, "Distressed by tragic fire accident near Mundka Metro Station in Delhi."
Building was not up to safety standards: Fire chief
According to the fire department's divisional commissioner Atul Garg, the structure that caught fire in Mundka did not have a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the fire department. He also claimed that the structure did not meet safety regulations. Meanwhile, the police said they are on the lookout for other suspects, who have gone missing after the incident.
