A terrible fire broke out at a factory in Rithala, Delhi. The fire started on Tuesday evening, around 7:25 PM. This factory was located near the Rithala Metro Station in Rohini, Sector 5 area. The building was used for making plastic and chemical products. It was a five-storey building. Many people were working there when the fire started. Smoke and flames quickly filled the building. People inside tried to escape, but many were trapped. Fire officials said that the building had only one entry and exit point, which made it very difficult for people to come out safely during the fire.
Fire tenders reached the spot within minutes after getting information about the fire. A total of sixteen fire trucks were used in the rescue operation. Around one hundred firefighters worked continuously to control the fire. The rescue work lasted for more than fourteen hours. Even after putting out the flames, thick smoke kept coming from the building. The fire officials had to break walls and ceilings to rescue trapped people. Some people were seen jumping from the balconies to save their lives. The whole area was filled with fear and panic.
The fire caused the death of four people. Their bodies were badly burnt and could only be identified through DNA tests. Among the people who died was a 62-year-old man named Dilip Singh. Before he died, he made a heartbreaking phone call to his son. He told his son, “I won’t survive, beta.” His son’s name is Dharam Singh, also known as Dharmendra Singh. Dilip Singh informed him that he was trapped inside the building and could not breathe properly. His last words left his family in deep sorrow and pain.
Dharam Singh rushed to the factory immediately after receiving the call. But by the time he reached, the fire was too strong. Firefighters were already trying to control the flames, but no one could enter the building safely. Dharam waited the entire night near the building, hoping for some news about his father. The next morning around 10 AM, the burnt body of Dilip Singh was recovered. His son’s worst fears came true. The body was so badly burnt that it could only be identified after matching DNA samples with the family members.
The fire also caused severe injuries to other people. One of them was Nitin Bansal, the son of the factory owner. He suffered eighty percent burns and is in a critical condition. Another worker named Rakesh also suffered similar burn injuries. Both of them are admitted to the hospital and are fighting for their lives. A third worker named Virender hurt his legs while trying to escape from the building. Many others who were inside the building at that time had to jump from balconies and terraces to save themselves from the spreading fire.
A woman named Geeta was among those who jumped from the building to escape. She poured water over herself to avoid getting burnt before jumping down. She survived but suffered injuries. Another woman named Sanju Devi climbed to the building’s terrace and jumped to an adjacent building. She managed to escape, but she was also hurt. The survivors said there were no working fire alarms in the factory. They also said that the exits were blocked, and they could not find any safe way to come out. Most people tried to escape by running through the thick smoke.
The firefighters faced many challenges during the rescue operation. The narrow lanes near the factory made it difficult for fire trucks to reach the spot. The building had only one entry and exit point, which was not enough for a factory making plastic and chemicals. These materials catch fire easily and produce poisonous smoke. The factory was located in a crowded residential area, which made the situation even worse. Thick black smoke covered the entire neighborhood. People living nearby were forced to stay away from their homes as the area filled with smoke and toxic fumes.
The investigation team said that the factory did not follow fire safety rules. There were no proper fire exits or emergency doors. The building also lacked fire safety certificates. The officials believe that the factory was operating without legal permission. Residents in the area said that the factory had been running for many years, but they often worried about the chemicals stored inside. They had complained before, but no strict action was taken. After this tragic incident, authorities have promised to check all factories in the area for safety violations to prevent such accidents in the future.
Police officials have started an investigation to find the exact cause of the fire. In the beginning, they suspected that a short circuit might have triggered the blaze. However, some reports also suggested that the fire may have started from self-immolation by someone inside. The real reason will be confirmed only after the forensic reports are available. Delhi Fire Services are also checking whether the building had all required permissions. They have sealed the factory and are questioning the owner and other responsible persons regarding the safety arrangements and working conditions inside the building.
The Rithala fire incident has shocked the people of Delhi. This tragedy reminds everyone of the importance of following fire safety norms. Many factories in the city operate in residential areas without proper safety measures. These factories store highly flammable materials but lack fire exits, alarms, and emergency equipment. Such negligence can result in deadly accidents like the Rithala factory fire. Local residents have demanded that illegal factories be shut down immediately. They also want strict action against those who run unsafe factories, risking the lives of workers and people living nearby.
The Delhi government has announced that they will conduct safety inspections in all industrial and mixed-use areas. Officials have said that buildings without fire safety certificates will be sealed. They have also promised to take legal action against those who violate safety rules. The authorities have requested people to report any illegal factories operating in their localities. They believe that timely action can prevent major tragedies. The Rithala fire incident is a painful example of what happens when safety is ignored, and buildings are allowed to operate without following the law.
Families of the victims are heartbroken and demanding justice. Dilip Singh’s family is still in shock after hearing his last phone call. His son Dharam Singh said his father could have survived if there were proper escape routes. He also said that the building owner should be punished for ignoring safety rules. Other families who lost their loved ones or whose relatives were injured have also asked the government to provide compensation and medical help. They believe that the factory owner must be held responsible for running an unsafe building.
Many people living in the nearby areas of Rohini and Rithala gathered at the accident spot. They expressed anger and grief over the deaths caused by the fire. Some local residents said they had earlier complained to the authorities about the factory’s unsafe condition, but no action was taken. The smoke from burning plastic and chemicals affected the health of nearby residents as well. Doctors have advised people to stay indoors and wear masks to avoid breathing harmful smoke. The area was sealed for safety checks, and cleaning teams were sent to remove the debris.
Fire officials have warned that using plastic and chemical materials inside buildings without proper storage rules is very dangerous. They have asked factory owners to install fire alarms, water sprinklers, and emergency exits. Fire drills should be conducted regularly so that workers know how to escape during emergencies. The Rithala factory fire has shown that lack of preparedness can lead to loss of lives. Many factories in Delhi and other cities operate in unsafe conditions. Authorities have said that surprise inspections will be carried out to identify and shut down unsafe factories.
The tragedy has also sparked political debates in the city. Opposition leaders have blamed the government for not acting against illegal factories. They said that despite previous accidents, the government has failed to enforce strict safety rules. The Delhi government has assured the public that action will be taken. They have also promised to provide free treatment to those injured in the fire. The Chief Minister expressed sorrow over the incident and directed officials to support the affected families. Meanwhile, police are working to identify all victims and arrest those responsible.
The Rithala factory fire has left deep scars on the minds of workers and their families. Survivors are still recovering from injuries and trauma. Many people have lost their only source of income. Those who died were mostly daily wage workers trying to earn a living for their families. The incident highlights how poor people often risk their lives working in unsafe buildings. Authorities and factory owners must take responsibility to ensure such tragedies do not happen again. Everyone hopes that strict safety rules will be followed to protect innocent lives in the future.