New Delhi: A massive fire broke out in a factory, reportedly housing firecrackers, in Burari, north Delhi, on Sunday afternoon, injuring four people, one of them critically.
The incident occurred at around 4.23 pm in a ground-floor room of a house in Pradhan Enclave, sparking panic among locals. One victim, Himanshu, 27, suffered 100% burns and was shifted from Burari Hospital to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital for advanced care. Three others—Anand, 24; Ravi Prakash, 22; and Vijay Pandey, 22—suffered burns ranging from 25% to 40% and were also hospitalised.
Delhi Fire Service (DFS) responded swiftly, sending five fire tenders to the scene. The fire was brought under control within an hour, but operations continued afterward to prevent secondary explosions. According to DFS officials, the fire had initially been mistaken for routine firecracker explosions by local residents, but the situation quickly escalated. “At first, the sounds seemed like regular firecrackers, but they intensified, and the entire factory was engulfed in flames,” said a DFS official.
While fire officials said the facility was a firecracker factory, police indicated it was operated by an event management company. “The location stored wedding articles, including clothing, electrical wires, cold pyro materials, and ignition batteries. It’s suspected that the fire ignited from these items,” said a police spokesperson.
The factory was situated in a densely populated residential area, with living spaces above it. Officials revealed that the facility lacked a fire NOC and was filled with highly-flammable materials. A DFS officer said, “The complete absence of ventilation in the room worsened the situation. In such confined spaces, even a small spark can escalate into a massive fire.”
The building had only one entry/exit point, further complicating rescue efforts. Devender Sandhu, a DFS official, also sustained minor injuries while battling the blaze.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, focusing on those responsible for operating the unauthorised factory. This incident follows a series of deadly factory fires in Delhi. On December 17, a fire in a plastic factory in Bawana required 15 fire tenders to control the fumes. In November, another blaze in Alipur saw 34 fire tenders responding to the emergency.
Fire safety concerns in factories have been a growing issue in Delhi, with reports indicating over 800 fire incidents in the last two years alone. Many of these factories lacked proper safety measures and no-objection certificates.
