Delhi's Anaj Mandi fire may have been caused due to short circuit

At least 43 people have died and many others are injured after a massive fire broke out in a factory in Delhi's Anaj Mandi near Rani Jhansi road on Sunday. The injured have been admitted to Lok Nayak Jay Prakash (LNJP) and Lady Hardinge hospitals.

Prima facie it appears that the fire was caused due to a short circuit caused while the presence of plastic material at the spot caused a lot of smoke. The case has been transferred to Crime Branch, forensics will also probe the incident.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met the injured admitted at LNJP hospital.

Delhi fire incident: Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal met the injured admitted at LNJP hospital #DelhiFire pic.twitter.com/zGH81wp1Qw

— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2019

Meanwhile, BJP MP Gautam Gambhir while speaking on the fire incident said, "I do not wish to indulge in politics but there must be an investigation into the incident. Someone has to take responsibility, it is a tragic incident."

Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to tragic fire in Delhi. PMO has also approved Rs 50,000 each for those seriously injured in the fire.

A person named Rehan, who is the owner of the building, has been arrested by the Delhi Police. He had earlier been absconding, Delhi Police DCP North Monika Bhardwaj had informed media. A case has been registered against him under Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code (Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder).

Delhi fire incident: Case registered under section 304 (Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code against owner of the building. #DelhiFire pic.twitter.com/QBKl3jNLpJ

— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2019