Fire breaks out at footwear factory in Delhi’s Narela Industrial Area

The fire broke out on the ground floor of the factory at 9.30am and spread to the entire ground floor within minutes. No casualties have been reported so far.

A fire broke out in a footwear factory in outer Delhi’s Narela Industrial Area on Monday morning, prompting authorities to rush in at least six fire tenders to control the blaze.

Scores of factories in the industrial areas of Narela and Bawana are sitting ducks when it comes to fire. (HT FILE)

According to a fire officer, the blaze broke out on the ground floor of the factory at 9.30am. Atul Garg, chief fire officer, Delhi Fire Services, said the blaze spread to the entire ground floor within minutes. The trigger behind the blaze is yet to be known, he said.

“No casualties have been reported so far. The fire tenders are dousing the blaze and the situation is under control,” another fire officer said.

Scores of factories in the industrial areas of Narela and Bawana are sitting ducks when it comes to fire. Many of these factories operate illegally and have little arrangements to deal with a blaze which are frequent occurrences. Only last month, 17 persons were killed in a blaze in a cracker manufacturing unit in neighbouring Bawana.