Delhi fire: Building had just one door, stored combustible material

The four-storey building in Anaj Mandi where a massive blaze killed 43 people on Sunday morning was packed with combustible material and had just one door that opened into a narrow lane, virtually making it a "fire trap", officials said.

Dense toxic smoke from burning sewing machines, plastic toys and boxes, rexin rolls, plastic wrappers, card boards, packaging material and garments had engulfed the building, making it difficult to conduct rescue operations, firefighters said.

Over 30 fire tenders and several ambulances cramped into congested areas around the building, which housed illegal factories, while nearly 150 firefighters worked to pull out 63 people and douse the blaze that was reported at 5:22 am.

The building, which is an area of 600 sq yards, had just one door and so, fire department personnel cut window grills and metal meshes to enter, the Delhi Fire Services officials said, adding that one fire tender was sent at a time through the narrow lanes.

They said a preliminary probe suggested that a short-circuit triggered the fire, which started in the building's second floor.

Illegal factories in a residential area and, dangling overhead wires makes this Mughal-era business hub a "ticking time bomb", Sadar Bazar Trade Association president Rakesh Kumar Yadav said.

The authorities are to be blamed for this situation, he said