New Delhi: Eight of the 11 people killed in the fire accident in outer Delhi's Alipur have been identified by their family members and police said they might conduct a DNA test on the unidentified bodies if required, news agency PTI reported. Police have also initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and whether the paint factory was operating illegally.
In a statement, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) said that the building where the fire broke out was unlawfully utilised for mixing chemical paint.
Among the casualties, was the owner of the factory, Ashok Kumar Jain, along with 10 of his employees, confirmed a police official. The factory, Om Suns Paint, had been in operation since 2017, the official added. "It has come to light that the owner used to lock the factory from inside when work was on," the police officer said.
The identified victims include Jain (62), Ram Surat Singh (44), Vishal Gaund (19), Anil Thakur (46), Pankaj Kumar (29), Shubham (19), Mira (44), and Brijkishore (19).
Police suspect that the factory gate was locked, trapping the workers inside when the fire broke out. Forensic experts have gathered samples from the site. "Prima facie, it is suspected that the fire broke out due to a short circuit and spread to an area where chemicals were kept, leading to multiple blasts," PTI quoted police as saying.
Some victims were identified based on their clothing and personal belongings recovered from the scene. For those unidentified, DNA testing may be necessary, stated another official.
The incident took place in Alipur's Dayal Market where chemical godowns were housed in the factory. An explosion followed the fire, which quickly spread to eight stores and a drug rehabilitation facility nearby.
Local residents alleged a delayed response from fire services, blaming a traffic jam near GT Karnal Road. A Delhi Fire Services (DFS) official confirmed receiving the fire call at 5:25 pm, with 22 fire-tenders deployed, PTI reported.