Peeragarhi Fire: One Firefighter Killed, 18 People Rescued After 8-Hour Operation At Delhi Battery Factory

A firefighter was killed and 14 others were injured when a battery factory collapsed in northwest Delhi's Peeragarhi following an explosion due to a fire that broke out early on Thursday morning. As many as 18 people were rescued from the building, including two caretakers and a security guard. The deceased firefighter has been identified as Amit Balyan (20), who was admitted to Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute. He was posted at Kirti Nagar fire station and had joined the Delhi Fire Services recently.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter to condole his death. "It is with deep sadness I inform you that one of our firemen was martyred while saving people from fire. Our firemen save other people's lives by putting their lives under extremely risk in difficult circumstances. May his soul rest in peace," he tweeted.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal also condoled the death of the firefighter. "Deeply anguished over news of death of fire operator Amit Balyan Amit along with his team members fought bravely to save lives of many people. I salute his bravery My sincere condolences to his family members. All possible assistance to be extended to the injured & bereaved family," he tweeted.

According to officials, 14 people including thirteen firefighters were injured in the blaze. They suffered severe injuries after the battery factory collapsed during the explosion after the fire. A security guard of the factory was also injured, a police officer told reporters. A large portion of the two-storey building in Udyog Nagar area collapsed following an explosion when firefighters were dousing the blaze, an official said, adding that fire department had received a call at 4.23 am. According to fire department officials, the fire has been brought under control but the cooling process is still underway. All the firemen, who were trapped under the debris, have been rescued.

The severity of the blaze can be gauged from the fact that more than 30 fire engines were at the spot in the morning. Several people, including fire brigade personnel, were trapped under the debris. A team of the National Disaster Response Force was also helping in the rescue operation. 

Police said legal action is being taken under appropriate sections of the Indian Penal Code. Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain also visited the spot and ordered a magisterial enquiry into the matter.

The Peeragarhi fire is the first major incident of blaze in the National Capital in 2020. Last year, Delhi witnessed a massive fire in Anaj Mandi area that claimed 43 lives. The Filmistan fire was the worst that the National Capital has witnessed since the Uphaar tragedy that killed 59 people. Almost all the deceased were migrant labourers hailing from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.