Two killed after fire breaks out in footwear manufacturing factory in Narela area

Two men were killed after a massive fire broke out in a footwear manufacturing factory in Outer Delhi's Narela area in the early hours of Saturday. Police said the factory was running legally.

According to the police, the deceased were identified as Vinay (30) and Kuldeep (25), both natives of Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh, who allegedly died due to suffocation since they were not able to escape from the building. However, police have not ruled out foul play. The initial probe has indicated it was an accident.

"The incident took place at around 2:30 am in the DSIIDC (Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation) industrial area, in Narela. The factory manufactures plastic footwear items on the ground floor and stores the packing material on the first floor," said a senior police officer.

According to a Delhi fire official, they received a call from the locals after they saw flames emanating from the top floor of the building. Eight fire tenders were rushed to the factory.

"After bringing the fire under control, we found two bodies. Prima facie, it appears the deaths occurred due to inhaling the smoke. The packing material was inflammable and caused the fire to spread rapidly. The exact cause of the fire is unknown," said a fire officer.

Police said Vinay worked as a guard at the factory while his distant relative Kuldeep worked in some other factory but would spend the night here itself. Both of them slept on the first floor.

Police have registered a case under sections 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter) and 304 A (causing death due to negligence).