Massive fire rips through two-storeyed factory in Delhi, kills 17

Seventeen people are feared dead after a fire ripped through a two-storeyed- factory in outer Delhi's Bawana industrial area on Saturday evening. The Delhi Fire Services received a call about the fire at the factory around 6.20 pm. Ten fire tenders were pressed into service. The fire has been completely doused now. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Express Photo by Amit Mehra

Delhi government, which is monitoring the situation, has issued an enquiry into the incident. According to the official there is a rubber factory on the second storey above the firecracker factory. Express Photo by Amit Mehra

The District Magistrate confirmed that the firecracker factory was functioning illegally. North Delhi Mayor Preety Aggarwal has informed a controlled situation at the spot. Express Photo by Amit Mehra.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed anguish at the death of people in a fire at a factory in Delhi's Bawana today. "Deeply anguished by the fire at a factory in Bawana. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives. May those who are injured recover quickly," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted quoting Modi.

Expressing his grief over the "large number of casualties" in the fire, chief minister Kejriwal said he is keeping a "close watch" on the rescue operations. Express Photo by Amit Mehra

The initial photographs taken by the DFS shows the bodies in a charred condition lying among burnt crackers. The rescue operations are underway, while the DCP has claimed that the fire has been brought under control. Express Photo by Amit Mehra

Initial information from the Delhi government has confirmed that the privately owned factory was operating without prior permission from the fire department, civic agencies. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

Union Health Minister J P Nadda said that the AIIMS and the Safdarjung Hospital were ready to provide all assistance to people injured in a blaze at a firecracker storage unit in Delhi’s Bawana area. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

“I have directed officials of @MoHFW_INDIA to provide immediate support. Union Health Secretary has spoken to Chief Secretary Delhi. AIIMS trauma centre and Burn Unit Of Safadjung Hospital is ready to provide all support (sic),” Union Health Minister J P Nadda tweeted. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

CM Arvind Kejriwal after arriving at the site announced Rs 5 lakh for the kin of those who died and 1 lakh compensation for the injured. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)