At least 43 people have died and around 50 wounded after a major fire broke out in Anaj Mandi area in Central Delhi on Sunday morning.

A call about the fire was received at 5.22 a.m. following which 30 fire tenders were rushed to the spot. During the rescue operation, more than 52 people trapped in the building were shifted to hospital where at least 32 succumbed to injuries during treatment. Doctors say the death toll might rise. More details are awaited.

“A fire broke out in a building where school bags, bottles and other materials were kept. The building was also used to accommodate workers,” said a police officer. He added that the owner of the building has been arrested.

The injured were shifted to the LNJP hospital, the RML Hospital and the Hindu Rao Hospital.

A Magisterial Enquiry has been ordered into the incident and ₹10 lakh compensation announced for the kith and kin of the deceased.

(As reported by Saurabh Trivedi)

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5.45 p.m.

Building owner detained

Police say that the building owner, Rehan, has been detained. He was booked by police under IPC sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible mat­ter). - PTI

5.00 pm

One of the worst tragedies in Delhi

The Anaj Mandi inferno that killed at least 43 people on Sunday morning is the most severe fire in the national capital after the Uphaar Cinema tragedy that claimed 59 lives and left over 100 injured.

The theatre in the posh Green Park area was screening “Border” and several families were there to catch the Sunny Deol-starer on its release day June 13, 1997.

But the movie outing turned into a mayhem as a massive blaze broke out during the 3 PM show.

4.30 pm

AAP accuses BJP of playing politics

The AAP accused the BJP of playing politics over the massive fire at Anaj Mandi in New Delhi which claimed 43 lives, saying the BJP-run MCD has to be held accountable for the deadly incident.

AAP senior leader Sanjay Singh said it was the responsibility of Municipal Corporation of Delhi to shut the factory if it was found to be running illegally.

AAP spokesperson Raghav Chadha said it was “shameful and unfortunate” that BJP was playing politics over the fire incident.

“Even if questions are raised, then BJP-run MCD should be held accountable for giving licenses,” he said.

A massive fire swept through a factory in Anaj Mandi area of north Delhi on Sunday morning, leaving 43 labourers dead and many others injured, police said.

The Delhi government has ordered a probe into the incident and has sought a detailed report within seven days.

3.30 pm

'Only person below 18 years of age'

Mohammad Mehtab, 10, from Samastipur in Bihar, is admitted in the children's ward of LNJP Hospital with burn injury, after a major fire broke out in Anaj Mandi area in Central Delhi on Sunday morning, in which at least 43 people have died and around 50 have been injured.

"Basically, he suffered from suffocation. His clothes were burnt when he came to the hospital and we changed him to hospital clothes," an official at the hospital told The Hindu.

"As far as I know, he is the only person below 18 years of age admitted at the hospital from the fire accident," the official said.

Hospital documents have noted "Anaj Mandi Filmistan, Delhi" in his case, but it is not clear whether Mehtab was working at the factory.

His relatives are yet to reach the hospital.

2.40 pm

Building in Anaj Mandi where blaze broke out did not have fire clearance: DFS

The four-storey building in Anaj Mandi area of north Delhi where the blaze broke out did not have a fire clearance, said the Delhi Fire Service.

According to Delhi Fire Service Director Atul Garg, the building did not have a fire clearance and no fire safety equipment was found installed on the premises.

- PTI

2.20 pm

Bihar govt announces ₹2 lakh ex-gratia

Bihar government has announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh to the family members of those from the State who died in the Delhi fire.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also directed officials for proper treatment of those injured in the fire.

Bihar Water Resources Minister Sanjay Kumar Jha, who visited LNJP Hospital, said that he had visited the accident site.

"Maximum victims are from Bihar and our officers are here helping the victims and their families. Delhi's electricity department is responsible for the accident. I have gone to the spot and also talked to the victims. The way electric wires are overhanging on the street next to the building, such an accident was bound to happen one day," said Mr. Jha.

2 pm

Mohammad Waseem, 18, said that three of his friends, including 14-year-old Sonu, was in the building which caught fire.

Mohammad Waseem whose friends were in the building which caught fire. | Photo Credit: Nikhil M Babu

"Sonu's elder brother Bablu worked at the factory and Sonu came here yesterday evening, as we play cricket on Sundays at a ground close to the factory," Mr. Waseem said.

Sonu, who hails from Bihar, stays in Sant Nagar Burari with another brother. "We got information that three of them are here (LNJP Hospital), but we are yet to see them," Mr. Waseem said.

- Nikhil M Babu reports from Delhi

1.20 pm

Delhi govt orders probe

Delhi government ordered a probe into the fire incident and sought a detailed report within seven days.

Revenue Minister Kailash Gahlot directed the district magistrate (central) to conduct an inquiry and submit a report. - PTI

1.10 pm

"I told him to jump out if the fire is strong..." says a victim's cousin

Bhura, 50, said that he has identified his cousin, Musharraf's body at LNJP hospital.

Bhura, whose cousin was killed in the fire | Photo Credit: Nikhil M Babu

"I got a call from him at 5 in the morning saying that the building is on fire. I told him to jump out if the fire is strong. But he said the lanes are narrow and there are overhanging wires and he can't jump. After that the phone got disconnected," Mr. Bhura said.

He said that Musharraf, from Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh, is survived by wife and three children.

- Nikhil M Babu reports from Delhi

1.00 pm

PM announces ex-gratia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in the fire. The prime minister has also approved ₹50,000 each for those seriously injured in the fire, his office has said. - PTI

12.40 pm

Real-life heroes

Minister of Health and Power Satyendar Jain took to Twitter to appreciate the services of fireman Rajesh Shukla, who was reportedly the first fireman to enter the buillding.

Minister of Health Satyendar Jain meets fireman Rajesh Shukla in the hospital | Photo Credit: Twitter/Satyendar Jain

Sharing a photo with Mr. Shukla, the Minister wrote: "Fireman Rajesh Shukla is a real hero. He was the first fireman to entered the fire spot and he saved around 11 lives. He did his job till the end despite of his bone injuries. Salute to this brave hero."

12.30 pm

Delhi Police registers case against factory owner

The Delhi Police registered a case against the factory owner in north Delhi where a devastating fire left 43 labourers dead.

Police said a case under section 304 of IPC (culpable homicide not amounting to murder punishable with a maximum imprisonment of 10 years) has been registered.

The case has been transferred to crime branch.

- PTI

12.20 pm

Power metres intact, fire might have started in internal system of building: BSES

Power distribution company BYPL claimed that the fire at a factory in Anaj Mandi here appeared to have started in some “internal system” of the building.

Thirty fire tenders rushed to the spot after the fire department received information about the incident.

A team of BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BRPL) rushed to the spot after getting information of fire and immediately discontinued the electricity supply, according to a discom spokesperson.

“It appears that the fire started in the internal system of the building,” he said.

The fire occurred on the second and third floors of the factory building operating from the residential area.

The electricity metres of the building were placed on the ground floor and were found to be intact, the spokesperson added.

- PTI

12.10 pm

"At least tell me if he is dead or alive," says a relative

Sanaullah, 21, who has been waiting outside the LNJP Hospital to get some details about his relative Mohammad Sajid, 18, from Bihar, for the past three hours, said that authorities were not giving any information.

Sanaullah is trying to find information about about his relative Mohammad Sajid | Photo Credit: Nikhil M Babu

"Police are saying they can't give any information now. They should at least tell whether he is here," Sanaullah said.

- Nikhil M Babu reports from Delhi

11.40 am

Mamata condoles loss of lives in Delhi fire tragedy

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her deepest condolences to the families of those killed in a massive fire at a factory in Delhi and said she was saddened by the tragic incident.

The Chief Minister wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the fire incident.

“Saddened to hear about the devastating fire in Delhi. My heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. I wish the injured a speedy recovery,” Banerjee wrote on her Twitter handle.

- PTI

11.30 am

In search of missing family members...

Taj Ahmad, 40, who came looking for his brother-in-law and father-in-law at LNJP Hospital in Delhi after the fire accident said that he has been at the hospital for the past one and a half hours, but doesn't know whether they are alive.

Taj Ahmad, who is looking for his brother-in-law and father-in-law, feared to be victims of the fire | Photo Credit: Nikhil M Babu

"I told them (hospital authorities) to at least show me the dead bodies so that I can identify them. But they didn't show me. I don't know whether they're at this hospital or some other hospital or whether they are alive," Mr. Ahmad broke down as he said. "They are giving no details. At least give us list of the dead."

Mr. Ahmad, who lives in Delhi, said that he got a phone call from his village in Bihar on Sunday morning about the fire incident. His relatives, Jasimuddhin, 56, and Faisal Khan, 27, have been working at the factory for about 10 years.

"The owner had talked to our relatives in the morning and said that things are fine, but now his phone is switched off and my both relatives' phones are also switched off. I don't know whether they're alive," Mr. Ahmad told The Hindu.

- Nikhil M Babu reports from Delhi

11.20 am

Home Minister Amit Shah condoles loss of lives in fire tragedy

Union Home Minister Amit Shah condoled the loss of lives in a massive fire incident and directed officials concerned to provide immediate assistance to those affected.

In a tweet, Shah said, “Tragic loss of precious lives in the fire accident in New Delhi. My deepest condolences with families of those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the early recovery of the injured“.

“Have instructed concerned authorities to provide all possible assistance on urgent basis,” he said.

- PTI

11.20 am

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced ₹10 lakh compensation for the kith and kin of the deceased, and ₹1 lakh for the injured, apart from free treatment.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal meets people who were injured in the fire accident at LNJP Hospital | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Mr. Kejriwal, who arrived at the site of the fire, also ordered a Magisterial Enquiry into the incident.

11.10 am

Sonia Gandhi asks party workers to assist authorities wrt Delhi fire rescue

Congress President Sonia Gandhi expressed deep shock and dismay at the horrendous fire accident and loss of innocent lives in a factory in Anaj Mandi area, Delhi.

Expressing her deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of over four dozen deceased in the tragic accident, Mrs. Gandhi hoped that maximum lives will be saved and those injured are treated expeditiously. She urged upon the authorities of central and State governments to provide every assistance to victims and their families.

She has also asked Congress leaders and workers to assist the authorities in every manner possible.

- Sandeep Saxena from Delhi

11 am

Delhi govt orders probe, seeks report in seven days

The Delhi government ordered a probe into the fire incident in Anaj Mandi area here and sought a detailed report within seven days.

Revenue Minister Kailash Gahlot directed district magistrate (central) to conduct an inquiry and submit a report within seven days.

- PTI

10.50 am

Action to be taken against guilty: Imran Hussain

The Delhi government will conduct a probe and take action against those responsible for the fire incident in north Delhi.

Glimpses from the Anaj Mandi area at Rani Jhansi Road in Delhi where a huge fire broke out on Sunday | Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

Delhi Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain said that an investigation will be conducted into the incident.

“It is a tragic incident. Investigation will be conducted and action will be taken against whoever is responsible for it...,” Mr. Hussain tweeted.

- PTI

10.40 am

Rahul Gandhi offers condolences to bereaved families

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his deepest condolences to the families of those killed and said he was saddened by the tragic incident.

Saddened at the news that a massive fire in the Anaj Mandi area of Delhi has claimed many lives and left several people injured, Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the families of those killed and wish for the speedy recovery of those injured,” he said.

- PTI

10.30 am

Fire incident extremely horrific: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the incident extremely horrific and said that authorities are providing all possible assistance.

"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," he wrote on Twitter.