Delhi: At least 17 dead in Bawana fire, PM and CM offer their condolences

17 people were feared dead in a major fire at a cracker storage in outer Delhi's Bawana industrial area this evening. 15 fire tenders were rushed to the spot and soon contained the level 4 category fire. 

The Delhi Fire Services said it received a call about the fire at the factory around 6.20 pm.

"We received 3 calls from Bawana - Sector 1 a plastic factor, 2nd from Sector 5 a cracker storage & Sector 3 a furnace oil storage. All casualties are from Sector 5 fire. Fire is completely under control now. We recovered 17 bodies so far," GC Mishra, Director, Delhi Fire Services, said. 

A fireman at the scene said the fire had broken around 3:30 pm and was contained around 7 pm. The fire was reported in Sector 5 of Bawana Industrial area. The fire official said they have contained the blaze but rescue operations are still on.

The fire is under control now. The fire had broken out around 3.30 pm and was contained around 7. We have contained the fire on the second floor.: Fire Officer pic.twitter.com/A3FFUsxCeq

— ANI (@ANI) January 20, 2018

The fire department said it has recovered 17 bodies from the scene. 

Delhi government has ordered an inquiry the matter. 

Here are the LIVE updates: 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was anguished by the incident. 

"Deeply anguished by the fire at a factory in Bawana. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives. May those who are injured recover quickly," Prime Minister's Office said in a tweet. 

Deeply anguished by the fire at a factory in Bawana. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives. May those who are injured recover quickly: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 20, 2018

Union Health Minister JP Nadda has directed Health Secretary to provide immediate assistance to victims of Bawana fire tragedy and also asked AIIMS trauma  centre  to be on alert.

"Learnt about a serious fire incident in a private factory at Bawana. Several casualties reported. Monitoring the situation.Ordered enquiry," Delhi minister Satyendar Jain said in a tweet. 

Learnt about a serious fire incident in a private factory at Bawana. Several casualties reported. Monitoring the situation.Ordered enquiry

— Satyendar Jain (@SatyendarJain) January 20, 2018

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said he was also keeping a close watch on rescue operations.

"V sad to hear abt large no of casualties. Keeping a close watch on rescue operation," Kejriwal said. 

V sad to hear abt large no of casualties. Keeping a close watch on rescue operations https://t.co/yHwQAH0bKi

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 20, 2018