Massive Blaze in 2 Delhi Factories, Questions Abound on Frequent Fires

New Delhi: A massive fire broke out at a PVC pipe and chemical factory at GT-Karnal Road in Jahangirpuri in Delhi. Fire officials said after getting information about the incident at 12.10 p.m, as many as 15 fire engines were trying to extinguish the fire.

According to information received, two factories located near GTK depot in Jahangirpuri area caught fire on the ground and the first floor. So far there were no reports of any injuries, sources told PTI.

Of late, fire incidents in factories are becoming a frequent phenomenon in Delhi. In December, there was a massive blaze in an ‘illegal’ factory in Anaj Mandi, which swallowed about 43, lives, mostly migrant labourers. A year ago, another blaze in Bawana took about 16 lives, trapping

The rise in such fire incidents have been blamed on collusion between the local administration and factory owners, as many of these violate regulations and are located in dense areas, with no concern for the safety of workers or building norms.

Workers organisations have many a times pointed out that "such incidents happen due to negligence of administration,” which look the other way when it comes to many such factories openly flouting safety regulations and labour laws.