42 injured, 10 critical as explosion triggers fire in Faridabad chemical factory
At least 42 people were injured, including three police personnel, with 10 in critical condition after an explosion at a chemical factory triggered a massive fire
Gurugram: At least 42 people were injured, including three police personnel, with 10 in critical condition after an explosion at a chemical factory triggered a massive fire that ripped through an industrial unit in Sector 24 of Haryana’s Faridabad on Monday evening, officials said.
The fire broke out at 4.15 pm at Kalkaji Lubricants, a chemical factory in the Mujesar industrial area, after sparks generated by a short circuit came into contact with chemical-filled drums, triggering a blast. (Representative photo)
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According to police, the fire broke out at 4.15 pm at Kalkaji Lubricants, a chemical factory in the Mujesar industrial area, after sparks generated by a short circuit came into contact with chemical-filled drums, triggering a blast.
“Workers tried to control the fire, but the explosion caused flames to spread rapidly, engulfing a large section of the unit within minutes. The presence of oil and chemical drums inside the premises further intensified the blaze, making firefighting operations difficult,” an official said.
Fire brigade teams reached the site with seven fire tenders. “Seven fire tenders were rushed to the spot and the situation is now under control. A police team has been deployed and an investigation is underway. Preliminary findings suggest a short circuit, and due to the presence of chemicals the fire spread rapidly, engulfing the factory within minutes,” public relations officer of the Faridabad police Yashpal Yadav said.
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“However, the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation,” he added.
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“However, the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation,” he added.
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Health department officials said that 42 people sustained burn injuries. “Of these, 12 were admitted to the Badshah Khan Civil Hospital, while the rest were shifted to private hospitals. The condition of 10 workers remains critical,” doctors said.
Police said three police personnel were injured while assisting in firefighting and rescue operations. “Our team reached the spot and helped to evacuate workers trapped inside. Some policemen suffered burn injuries during the rescue,” a senior police officer said.
Police have begun questioning the factory owner and staff to verify compliance with fire safety and industrial safety norms. “The incident has once again raised serious concerns over safety standards in industrial units, especially those handling flammable chemicals,” an official said, stressing the need for stricter enforcement and regular safety audits to prevent such accidents.
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Company officials were not available for comment till this copy was filed.
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest.
Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents.
Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure.
Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing.
Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity.
Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations.
Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling.
A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.
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