In one of the worst fire accidents in the new Delhi, 43 people were killed after a massive blaze ripped through a four-storey building housing illegal manufacturing units in north Delhi’s Anaj Mandi area on Sunday morning, police officials said

According to the officials, most of the people working in the units were sleeping when the fire broke out in the second floor of the building in the early hours and 30 fire tenders were pressed into service.

A preliminary investigation suggested that short circuit triggered the blaze; they said

Nearly 150 fire personnel carried out the rescue operation and pulled out around 63 people from the building.

Whereas, 43 labourers died, many others were injured including two fire personnel, fire officials said.

They said none of the units had a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the fire department and the congested area made rescue operations difficult. Firemen had to cut window grills to access the building, as per PTI reports.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the fire. The prime minister also approved Rs 50,000 each for those seriously injured in the fire

The Delhi government ordered a probe into the incident and sought a detailed report within seven days. An ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each has been announced for the next of kin of those killed and Rs 1 lakh for those injured.

According to the reports most of the people died due to asphyxias as the building lacked proper ventilation.

North Delhi Mayor Avtar Singh said he has asked the municipal commissioner to form a team which will visit the site and probe the cause of fire.

Police have registered a case against the property owner.

Many people trapped inside the building were rescued and rushed to RML Hospital, LNJP and Hindu Rao Hospital, fire officials said

Thirty-four people were brought dead to LNJP hospital and smoke inhalation was the primary cause of the death. Some of the bodies were burnt, Dr Kishore Singh, Medical Superintendent, LNJP, said

Out of the 15 injured brought to LNJP, nine people are under observation and others have partial injuries, he said

Power discom BYPL said the fire broke out due to some “internal system” in the building

A spokesperson of power discom BSES Yamuna Power Limited said their team immediately disconnected the power supply.

As the news of the fire broke out, a host of leaders expressed shock over the loss of lives in the fire tragedy.

As the news of the fire broke out, condolence messages started pouring in by the political leaders expressing shock over the loss of lives in the fire tragedy.

This fire is being considered the second worst incident in the city since 1997 fire in a film theatre which killed 59 peoples.

  accident, Delhi