A tragic fire erupted at a shoe factory in Mangolpuri on Friday night, ensnaring several employees within its flames; family members at hospital in Delhi
Ashok Kumar (25), Harihar (40), Lal Babu (38), and Prem Chand (50) had eaten dinner when a fire broke out in the basement of the four-storey building. It was doused in three hours and six people were rescued. The four died while two are in hospital.
On Saturday, the father of the unit’s owner and a supervisor were arrested and charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Ashok had been working at the factory since he came to Delhi as an 11-year-old, said his family. An employee at the factory for the past 25 years, he was looking forward to the Diwali bonus and to spend time with family once the festival rush was over, said a relative.
“In a few days, he would’ve returned home in Nalanda, Bihar, for Diwali and stayed there till Chhath,” said a relative. Who will ensure this now that their father is dead?” said Gayatri, Harihar’s wife. The fire was confined to the basement but the smoke swirled in the ventilation-less building and trapped the workers. All four had migrated from home in search of work and a better life for their families. “My only wish is that my three children get to study.
Another worker of over 20 years, Harender, is currently in ICU at Sanjiv Gandhi Memorial Hospital.
Then a relative from our village called to inform me about the fire,” said Mukhdev, his brother-in-law. He had last called his brother-in-law, telling him not to keep aside dinner as he would be working another shift at the factory. “When I called him around 7am the next day to ask about breakfast, his phone was switched off.