Jaipur, February 16 Seven people were killed in a fire at an illegal firecracker manufacturing factory in the town of Bhiwadi, in the Khairthal-Tijara district of Rajasthan, officials said on Monday.
"Seven people have died in the incident. It was a garment factory, but firecrackers were being manufactured illegally inside it," said Sumitra Pareek, Additional District Magistrate. She added that two people were trapped in the factory.
The incident occurred in the Khushkhera-Karoli industrial area in Bhiwadi.
"The premises was leased out in the name of a garment factory, but according to the preliminary report, firecrackers were being manufactured illegally," she said.
She said that the police came to know about the incident during a routine patrol, after which a rescue operation was immediately launched.
District Collector Artika Shukla and other senior district administration and police officials rushed to the spot. Shukla ordered an investigation into the matter.
According to the preliminary report, there were more than 20 people inside the factory. As soon as the fire broke out, many workers managed to escape, while nine were trapped. Seven of them were killed in the fire. The fire was brought under control after more than one-and-a-half hours. Some skeletal remains were also recovered.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma instructed district administrations to immediately carry out relief and rescue work. He directed Forest Minister Sanjay Sharma to reach Alwar.
Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra said that it was a tragic incident and demanded an investigation into the matter.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully also expressed condolences on the death of the seven labourers.
