Seven Workers Charred To Death In Fire At Factory In Rajasthan, PM Condoles Loss Of Lives

Alwar: At least seven workers were killed and many others injured in a massive fire that occurred in a factory in Khuskheda Industrial Area of Bhiwadi in Rajasthan's Khairthal-Tijara district on Monday morning, police said. The incident has triggered panic in the area.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the deaths. "The fire mishap in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, is tragic and deeply saddening. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured: PM", the PMO posted.

The factory was registered as a garment manufacturing unit but preliminary investigations revealed that it was illegally manufacturing firecrackers and explosives.

Fire brigade in-charge Raju Khan said that more than half a dozen fire tenders were dispatched to the scene. However, the factory had a huge stock of cardboard, making it difficult for firefighters to extinguish the flames. For safety reasons, the nearby factories were evacuated and the power supply to the area was snapped off. The fire was brought under control after hours of intense effort, Khan said.

Initially, officials thought it was just a blaze, but when firefighters entered, they found seven people had been charred to death while many others were injured and taken to the nearby hospital. Upon information, police and administrative officials, including Artika Shukla, acting Alwar District Collector, and Manish Kumar, Superintendent of Police, Khairthal-Tijara District, arrived at the scene. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma sent forest minister Sanjay Sharma to the scene.

Around 9:30 am, thick, black smoke suddenly started billowing out from the factory and within seconds, the fire engulfed the entire building, trapping many workers inside the building. Eyewitnesses said there were three to four explosions, which were so powerful that it shook the surrounding areas.

Acting District Collector Artika Shukla said the factory was not covered under the Factory Act or Shop Act, as less than 20 workers were employed there. She informed that the unit was registered as a readymade garment manufacturing unit, but illegal activities related to firecrackers and explosives were being carried out there.

Shukla suspected that the gate was locked from the outside and some small-scale illegal explosive work was being carried out inside. The FSL team has collected samples from the spot and an FIR will be filed with Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation Ltd (RIICO). Orders have been issued to investigate all units in the area, Shukla said adding, action will be taken for violations. Priority is identification of the victims, most of whom were from Bihar, and assistance to their families, collector said.

It is suspected that the explosions may have been caused by gas cylinders. Bhiwadi police are investigating whether the fire was caused by a short circuit or some other suspicious activity.

Superintendent of Police Manish Kumar said the fire spread rapidly, resulting in the deaths of seven people. "Four of the workers are severely injured. The FSL team is at the scene and collecting samples. Preliminary investigations indicated that chemical or explosive handling was underway, rather than garment manufacturing. The unit was small, so it cannot be called a factory. The gate was closed from outside, raising possibility of illegal activity," the SP said.

Kumar also said that the victims were mostly migrant workers from Bihar. Strict action will be taken against the culprits after an investigation, he added.

The district administration has issued strict instructions to all industrial units to immediately review their safety standards.

The CM has directed the district administration to carry out immediate relief and rescue operations. "The news of the loss of lives due to a fire in a factory in the Khushkheda Industrial Area of Bhiwadi is extremely heartbreaking. The district administration has been directed to carry out relief and rescue operations. I pray to God for the peace of the departed souls and wish for the swift recovery of the injured," the CM posted on his X handle.

Sanjay Sharma, MoS Forests and Environment termed the incident as extremely tragic. He said that on the Chief Minister's instructions, he has left for the scene from Jaipur to assess the relief work and provide all possible assistance to the affected people.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jully wrote on his X handle, "The news of seven people being burnt alive in a chemical factory in Bhiwadi is extremely heart-wrenching. I pray to God that He grant peace to the departed souls at His divine feet, provide strength to the bereaved families to bear this unbearable grief, and I wish for the swift recovery of the injured."

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