Bawana cracker factory fire kills 17, Kejriwal announces ex-gratia

New Delhi : Ordering a probe in Bawana cracker factory, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the kins of deceased in the tragic incident. Nearly 30, people have also been injured.

He also promised a financial aid of Rs 1 lakh to the people who have been injured in the incident.

17 people, including 10 women, were burnt alive or asphyxiated at a fire in a plastic warehouse in west Delhi's Bawana on Saturday evening, officials said.

"It is a very tragic incident. We have ordered a probe into the incident," Kejriwal told reporters after meeting the injured people at a hospital in the national capital.

Union Minister Harsh Vardhan, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manoj Tiwari and Leader of Opposition in Delhi assembly Vijender Gupta and North Delhi Municipal Corporation Mayor Preety Agarwal also reached the spot.

"Saddened at the loss of 17 lives in the Bawana cracker factory fire. My thoughts are with the families of the persons killed in the mishap," Harsh Vardhan said in a tweet.

The officer said the fire in Bawana Industrial Area was reported to the control room around 6.20 p.m., following which 10 fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The fire was doused after three hours.

"Police as well as fire brigade and ambulances were rushed to F-83 in Sector 5 of Bawana Industrial Area. The cause of the fire is not yet known," Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajneesh Gupta said.

He also said police would register a case.

(with agency inputs)