Alipur factory blaze: Fire safety complaints not addressed, allege residents

New Delhi: A day after a fire incident caused the death of 11 people in Alipur area of North Delhi, residents and relatives of victims alleged that no attention was paid to their complaints regarding fire safety.

A paint factory caught fire in Dayalpur market in Alipur on Thursday killing 11 people and injuring four others.

Locals said that this factory mostly used inflammable substances which caused the devastating fire.

“By the time police reached the spot, damage was already done. We made several complaints earlier regarding our concerns but nothing happened. Fire catches this place easier than petrol. Government always engages in blame-game, how can we expect help from them?” Devendra Saini, a local, told news agency PTI.

“Paint work includes mostly inflammable substances and that factory was situated so close to us. We raised concerns but nobody paid attention,” alleged Saini.

Rajesh, an eyewitness said he ran away for his life after seeing the massive fire.

“I was sitting outside my house and suddenly noticed the fumes. There was a huge blast too. The fire reached my gate and I alerted my family members and children to run inside for our lives,” he said.

“I was near the gate of my home when the blast took place and all I could do at that moment was to run away. We couldn’t help others,” PTI quoted Rajesh as saying.

Another family member of a victim said, “We have not been informed yet whether our kin have survived or died.”

Officials said that the fire was caused due to the blast in the factory and later it spread to nearby buildings.

Police said that four persons injured in the fire are currently undergoing treatment in a hospital.

A fire official said that they received a call about the blaze at around 5:30 pm on Thursday.

“We immediately pressed 22 fire tenders into service. The fire was brought under control by 9 pm,” he said.

(with PTI inputs)