Delhi factory fire leaves 43 dead, PM Modi leads nation in condoling loss of lives

As per media reports, the building had lots of raw materials in it for the manufacturing of handbags and it resulted in the quick spreading of fire.

However, no details on the cause of the fire was immediately known.

Nearly 30 fire tenders rushed to the spot to douse the flame.

Politicians Express Sadness:

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal rushed to the spot and later ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.

"We have lost more than 40 innocent lives to the tragic fire. I've ordered a magisterial inquiry into its cause, no culprit will be spared," he said.

"We can't bring back lost lives, but Delhi govt will provide ₹10 L assistance to families that lost their loved ones & ₹1 L for the injured," the Aam Aadmi Party chief said.

He also visited a hospital where the victims of the fire tragedy are undergoing treatment.

President Ram Nath Kovind said: "Extremely sad to hear the tragic news about fire in Delhi’s Anaz Mandi. My thoughts and prayers are with affected families. Wishing an early recovery to those injured. The local authorities are doing their best to rescue people and provide help."

PM Narendra Modi also condoled the loss of lives in the fire tragedy and described the incident as 'horrific'.

"The fire in Delhi’s Anaj Mandi on Rani Jhansi Road is extremely horrific. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. Wishing the injured a quick recovery. Authorities are providing all possible assistance at the site of the tragedy," Modi tweeted.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party leader Rahul Gandi also mourned the loss of lives in the fire incident.

More than 100 people were reportedly sleeping inside the building and at least 60 of them have been recovered so far.

BJP's young MP from Delhi Gautam Gambhir shared his grief in a Twitter post.

FIR lodged:

Delhi Police have registered an FIR and the case has been handed over to the Crime Branch for investigation due to the severity of the incident, M S Randhawa, spokesman of Delhi police.

"Forty-three people dead, injured admitted to LNJP and Lady Hardinge Hospitals. Prima facie it appears short circuit caused fire," he said adding plastic material at the spot caused a lot of smoke.

The FIR has been registered under Section 304 of IPC, which says culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a tweet said he has instructed concerned authorities to provide all possible assistance on an urgent basis.

The Fire officials said at initial hours around 0520 hours when fire tenders started reaching the ill-fated place, it was very difficult to access the dark and poorly-lit premises.

Anaj Mandi is located near an old famous cinema hall called Filmistan which is closed for a long time, however, the locality is now a congested residential area with narrow lanes and no longer has any grain market.

Small manufacturing units in Delhi and other cities most often operate in cramped lanes in various parts of the country including the national capital.