17 killed in Bawana cracker unit, NDMC Mayor stokes controversy
What's the story
Seventeen people were killed and at least two injured in a massive fire at a firecracker unit in Delhi's Bawana industrial area last evening. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. The incident has brought to light the "grossly inadequate" fire safety measures employed in the building. Meanwhile, the NDMC mayor created a stir with her contentious remarks. Here's more.
Details
Victims were charred or choked to death
The fire department received information about the blaze at 6:20pm. It started from the ground floor and spread quickly through the two-storeyed building. It was doused in three hours. The victims were either charred or choked to death. One sustained injuries when he jumped from the second floor. Manoj Jain, the arrested man, claimed he had rented the unit and was running it alone.
Quote
NDMC mayor's insensitive comments draw flak
Amid the chaos, BJP leader and NDMC Mayor Preeti Aggarwal created a controversy with her comments. Moments before addressing media, she was purportedly heard whispering to her aide: "The licensing of this factory is with us, we cannot say anything," ANI quotes her as saying.
Twitter Post
Watch: NDMC Mayor Preeti Aggarwal speaks on the tragedy
#WATCH: In the aftermath of Bawana factory fire, BJP leader North Delhi Municipal Corporation Mayor Preeti Aggarwal caught on cam telling her aide, 'iss factory ki licensing hamare paas hai isliye hum kuch nahi bol sakte.' The incident has claimed 17 lives. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/zXfVjNADl2
— ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2018
Compensation
Top leaders condole deaths, Kejriwal announces compensation
CM Arvind Kejriwal has announced compensation of Rs. 5L for kin of the 10 women and seven men killed, and Rs. 1L for the two injured. PM Narendra Modi also condoled the deaths. "My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives." People launched protests as Kejriwal reached the hospital. Some had to be dragged away as they blocked his way.
Safety
Lack of fire safety measures once again in the limelight
The building had just one fire exit, two extinguishers, no smoke detectors or water sprinklers, and no NoC from the fire department, officials said. The situation is suspected to be similar across the 51,697 units in the Bawana industrial area, and other places like Narela too. Lacking safety standards in structures across cities has been called into question amid a series of fire incidents.