
A massive fire broke out at Rubber factory godown in South Delhi's Malviya Nagar on Tuesday evening that has been classified as the "highest category" blaze in the national capital in recent times. The incident took place on Tuesday evening at Khirki Extension, a crowded residential part of Malviya Nagar, after the fire began in a truck inside the rubber factory and then spread around 5 pm.
Delhi: Latest visuals from Malviya Nagar where fire broke out in a rubber godown yesterday. Firefighting operations underway. pic.twitter.com/Q4Jx1TLDL7
— ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2018
No casualty was reported but chief fire officer of the Delhi fire services, Atul Garg, fell unconscious during the firefighting operations. The fire also partially engulfed a school building and a gymnasium, fire officials said.
Around 80 fire engines were rushed at the spot and firemen worked all night to stop the blaze from spreading to neighbouring buildings, including a school. After 16 hours of tussle, the Air Force joined efforts to put the blaze out and take the situation under control. In the morning, a Mi-17 helicopter was seen making sorties to pour water.
#WATCH Delhi: Fire which broke out at a godown in Malviya Nagar yesterday has still not been doused, Air Force's MI 17 helicopter deployed for Bambi bucket operations pic.twitter.com/s8m1dXPjim
— ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2018
Thick black smoke rising from the fire at the factory was visible from much of south Delhi. Thirteen buildings in the vicinity, including the school and a gym, have been evacuated for safety. It was tough for fire engines to access the narrow and congested lanes, officials said. One firefighter has been injured.
“This fire was of the highest magnitude so far in this season. The fire started from a truck and spread to a godown of rubber and plastic raw material where the vehicle was parked. The godown is right behind Sant Nirankari Public School and had it occurred in the afternoon, evacuation of children would have been challenging as the area is congested,” Garg said.
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First published: 30 May 2018, 10:48 IST