Factory fire claims 12 lives in Delhi

Twelve people have died in a fire which broke out in a factory following a boiler blast a week ago in Delhi, police said today.

The blaze broke out in a cloth factory in Tughlakabad Extension on January 25 after the boiler exploded in a cloth factory.

"A total of 12 people have died in various hospitals in the past one week," a senior police official said.

A case has been registered against the owner Shamim who is undergoing treatment in a city hospital. Shamim had suffered 65% burn injuries.

The incident took place on the top floor of a four storey building owned by one Munna. Around 25 people were working in the factory at the time of the incident.

The deceased include Gauri Shankar, 27, Amir, 19, Alam, 27, Mukhtiar, 27, Nizamuddin, 18, Raheez, 18, and Lalti Devi, 35. The deceased had been treated at Lok Nayak Jaiprakash and Safdurjung hospitals.

A case under Sections 304A (causing death due to negligence), 337 (causing hurt by an ac which endangers human life), 338 (causing grievous hurt by an act which endangers human life) and 287 (dealing with machinery so as to endanger human life) of Indian Penal Code has been registered.