1 dead, 19 hurt in fire at Okhla paint factory

A major fire broke out at a paint factory in Okhla in the wee hours of Sunday. One man was killed and 19 others received serious burn injuries. Police said three others are admitted in a city hospital in a critical state.

A major fire broke out at a paint factory in Okhla in the wee hours of Sunday.

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One man was killed and 19 others received serious burn injuries. Police said three others are admitted in a city hospital in a critical state.

Police said the blaze started in a factory located in Phase II, Okhla industrial area around 2 am on Sunday.

About 20 fire engines were rushed to the spot to fight the flames. Police said the main burner in the paint factory reportedly burst and the factory was engulfed in flames.

Four labourers sleeping inside the paint factory were trapped.

Fire officials took about five hours to douse the flames completely and the four men had to be rescued from inside the charred factory.

They were rushed to Safdarjung Hospital, where one Khem Raj was declared brought dead.

Fifteen other labourers, sleeping in the adjoining factories, also received burn injuries. They are recuperating in AIIMS Trauma Hospital. Police said assets worth crores of rupees were reportedly damaged in the fire.

A case under sections 304 A (death due to negligence), 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter) has been registered at the Okhla police station.