Massive fire at Faridabad firm; 24 persons sustain burn injuries

At least two dozen people, including three policemen, sustained burn injuries following a blast in a lubricants firm in Faridabad on Monday. Two fire brigade personnel also sustained more than 50% burns and were referred to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital.

The blast took place after sparks came in contact with containers filled with lubricants and a fire broke out inside the premises of the Kalkaji Lubricants firm in Sector 24 at 4 p.m. Prima facie, the fire was caused due to a short-circuit, said Faridabad police spokesperson Yashpal, adding that the lubricants inside the firm caused the fire to spread rapidly.

Faridabad Sector 15 Fire Station Officer Ramesh Kumar said 18 fire tenders were pressed into service. “The policemen, fire brigade personnel and by-standers were injured after an explosion took place inside the firm . Around a dozen injured each were taken to Civil Hospital and Fortis Hospital. We are searching for survivors,” said Mr. Kumar.

Satvir Singh, vice president, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, sought an independent probe into the incident raising concerns over safety standards in industrial units.