2019 Delhi factory fire

On 8 December 2019, a fire occurred at a factory building in Anaj Mandi area of Delhi, India. At least 43 people died and more than 56 were injured.

The fire started at a workshop that produced school bags and shoes. The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) received a call for help around 5:22 a.m. IST and reached the location within five minutes, but their entry to the building was prevented by the intensity of the fire and blockages to the entry points. Gas cutters had to be employed to remove the iron grilles. Thirty-five fire engines extinguished the fire with an estimated 150 firemen involved who were able to rescue 63 people. A team from the National Disaster Response Force was deployed to assist the fire department in the rescue work.

According to the police, most of the people who died were labourers who had been sleeping inside the factory. Doctors stated that deaths were due to asphyxiation caused by smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning. The cause of the fire is being investigated. A preliminary investigation and eye witness claims have suggested an electrical short circuit may have been the cause.

The factory was operating in a residential area and according to the local fire chief, the building lacked a proper fire license, and its use as a factory was illegal. The Delhi Police Crime Branch is investigating the case, and the owner of the building and his manager were arrested on the day of the fire. Arvind Kejriwal, chief minister of Delhi, announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh (equivalent to ₹12 lakh or US$15,000 in 2023) to the next of kin of each person that died and ₹1 lakh (equivalent to ₹1.2 lakh or US$1,500 in 2023) for the injured. Whereas, Narendra Modi, prime minister of India, also declared a compensation of ₹2 lakh (equivalent to ₹2.4 lakh or US$2,900 in 2023) lakhs rupees for dead and ₹50,000 (equivalent to ₹59,000 or US$740 in 2023) thousand rupees for the injured.