Himachal Pradesh: Death Toll In Solan Factory Fire Rises to 5

Solan factory fire: Teams of NDRF and the Fire Department were rushed to the spot after the fire broke out and engaged in the operation to rescue the trapped people and douse the blaze.

New Delhi: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday condoled the five victims who lost their lives in the Solan factory fire on Friday. The fire broke out at a perfume factory at Jharmajri in the Nalagarh area of Solan district around 2:45 pm on Friday. As many as 31 people were injured, while nine people remain missing.

However, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu could not undertake a proposed visit to the site of the fire on Friday, as his chopper could not take off due to inclement weather, as per PTI.

According to news agency ANI, the bodies of the five victims, including a woman, were recovered on Saturday by the National Disaster Response Force. The NDRF has also launched a search for the missing people.

Deputy Commissioner of Solan Manmohan Sharma confirmed the death toll. He said, "The deceased woman has been identified as Pinki, who reportedly jumped out of the building to escape the fire that engulfed the factory." 

Sharma was quoted by ANI as saying, "People jumped from the first and second floors of the building to save their lives and sustained multiple injuries on hands, legs and even spine."

Deputy Commissioner directed the district administration to conduct an inquiry into this mishap and to provide all possible assistance to the affected families, as per ANI. However, the reason behind the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Himachal Pradesh DGP Sanjay Kundu evaluated the situation at the NR Aroma perfume factory, where the fire broke out.

"The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is currently assessing the structural safety of the site and working to clear it of hazardous gases, such as Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen Sulphide and Sulphur Dioxide", ANI quoted a police officer as saying.

"Following the clearance, a team of forensic experts will conduct a spot inspection and collect necessary evidence. Given the complex nature of the fire, the DGP has requested the state government for assistance from the Central Forensic Science Team of the Government of India" the officer added.