Compressor machine explosion led to fire that killed 3 at Narela factory: FIR

The fire at a pulses processing factory in Outer Delhi’s Narela Industrial Area, which claimed three lives and left six others injured early Saturday, broke out after an air dryer in a compressor used to peel pulses exploded due to overheating, stated the FIR. The impact was so strong that one side of the factory was destroyed, flinging rubble and steel across the road.

According to the FIR, the injured people told the investigating officer that the “air dryer of the compressor blew and led to the fire”. The FIR further stated that the Shyam Kripa Foods Pvt Ltd at Narela Industrial Area — where lentils or “moong ki dal” was prepared — informed police about the incident around 3:35 am on Saturday, and officers arrived at the scene only to find the factory engulfed in flames.

“Fire brigade and police were called to the spot, and nine persons were rescued and shifted to SRHC Hospital, Narela,” according to the FIR.

The Delhi Police arrested the factory owners, Ankit and Vinay Gupta, on Saturday and registered a case against them under relevant Indian Penal Code sections pertaining to causing death by negligence, negligent conduct involving fire or combustible material, and others. The arrested men were later granted bail.