Noida Factory Fire Tragedy: Missing Worker's Body Recovered from Basement
In a tragic development following a devastating industrial fire in Noida, the partially burnt body of a missing worker was recovered from the basement of a smart meter manufacturing unit on Monday. The discovery came days after a massive blaze tore through Capital Power Systems Limited in Sector 4 of Noida Phase 1, leaving a trail of destruction and multiple injuries.
Victim Identified as Long-Time Employee
The victim has been identified as Upendra, a storekeeper who had been employed at the factory for several years and was responsible for managing the basement storage area. A resident of Harola village in Sector 5, Upendra had been reported missing since the fire broke out around 5:30 AM on March 12.
His father, Sarvan Kumar, recounted the family's ordeal: "He left home for his night shift on Wednesday but never returned. When we reached the factory the next morning, we came to know about the fire and began searching for him."
Discovery During Post-Fire Operations
Police officials revealed that the body was found during a search operation after teams pumped out water that had accumulated in the basement following extensive firefighting efforts. The remains were discovered buried under debris and burnt material in the basement storage area where Upendra worked.
Family members were called to the site to identify the remains, triggering emotional scenes outside the factory where relatives demanded compensation. According to family sources, Upendra was the sole breadwinner of his household.
Fire Investigation and Preliminary Findings
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire originated in the factory's basement, where electrical equipment and packaging materials were stored. Authorities suspect a short circuit may have triggered the blaze, which quickly spread through highly flammable materials including cardboard boxes, plastic granules and wiring components.
Police officials noted that Upendra may have been in the basement during the early hours of the morning when the fire broke out. Investigators suspect he may have been resting during his night shift and was unable to escape as the flames rapidly spread through the confined space.
Extensive Damage and Worker Injuries
The basement suffered the most extensive damage in the fire, with the storage area containing smart electricity meters, packaging material, batteries and plastic wiring equipment largely destroyed. Losses from the fire are estimated to run into several crores of rupees.
At the time of the incident, around 350 employees were present inside the factory. Many workers were trapped on upper floors as smoke and flames spread through the building. In desperation, several employees jumped from the first to fourth floors to escape, resulting in dozens of injuries.
A total of 38 workers were injured, most suffering fractures to their legs and feet. Officials confirmed that 36 of them have since been discharged from hospitals, while two remain admitted at a medical facility in Delhi.
Massive Firefighting Operation
Firefighters battled the blaze for nearly two days before bringing it under control late on Friday night. However, flames briefly reignited in the basement on Saturday morning before being quickly extinguished.
The operation involved around 150 firefighters from multiple districts, using 37 fire tenders brought in from Noida, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr and Aligarh. Officials estimated that about 20 lakh litres of water were used to extinguish the fire during the large-scale operation.
Factory Layout and Safety Concerns
The factory is built across two adjoining plots, each measuring about 400 square yards, and includes two basement levels. The discovery of Upendra's body in the basement has raised questions about safety protocols and emergency evacuation procedures at the facility.
Police officials noted that no formal complaint had been submitted by the family so far. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the exact cause of the blaze and whether safety lapses contributed to the tragic incident.
The Noida factory fire has highlighted the need for stricter safety measures in industrial units, particularly those storing flammable materials. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of Upendra while grappling with the broader implications of industrial safety standards in the region.
