Mundka fire: Arvind Kejriwal orders Rs 10 lakh ex gratia for the kin of the deceased in the Delhi Mundka fire, and a FIR has been filed against the factory owners.
On Friday evening, a large fire ripped through a four-story commercial building in the west Delhi neighbourhood of Mundka, killing 27 people and injuring 12. Videos show terrified people jumping out of windows to save their lives as the flames drew in.
The Delhi Police arrested two people, both proprietors of the factory where the fire allegedly started, and filed a FIR against them. The third owner has escaped.
At present, 29 people are still missing. Efforts are on to locate them. Rescue personnel also found charred remains beneath the gutted ruins of the building. A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory, Delhi will conduct DNA testing to identify the deceased.
Mundka Fire, CM pats brave fireman, orders magisterial enquiry
Visiting the scene Delhi Mundka Fire , Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh each to the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured. He also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.
DCP Outer District Sameer Sharma said those who reported family members or friends missing in the fire have been called in to identify the deceased persons’ charred bodies. He also promised strict action against all culpable for the tragedy.
According to Delhi fire chief Atul Garg, the factory did not have the requisite clearances and was operating without a Fire NOC. It had only one exit and no fire protection. It was overloaded with a lot of materials and there was no proper compartment, he said.
“In the morning we got some more remains. Seems like bodies of 2-3 people. The death toll might reach 30. The blaze spread rapidly due to plastic materials kept in the building.A meeting of 50 people was underway when the fire broke out, and as the door was closed they were trapped inside. Rescue work is over and we are winding it up,” a fire department official said.
