Jind Factory Fire Death Toll Climbs to Seven; Smoking Incident Blamed for Tragedy
The death toll from the devastating factory fire in Safidon town, Jind district, has now tragically increased to seven individuals. During a press briefing, Jind Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Singh revealed that preliminary investigations point to a man smoking near the factory gate as the alleged cause of the catastrophic incident.
Escalating Casualty Figures and Rescue Operations
It is crucial to note that in the Safidon factory fire case, the initial casualty count stood at four on the first day of the incident, which occurred on March 7. However, in a heartbreaking development, three more women have since died during treatment at various hospitals, elevating the total death toll to seven. Superintendent Singh confirmed that approximately 15 people were also injured in the blaze, with the majority of victims being women.
The factory, which was reportedly operating illegally, was engaged in the manufacturing of Holi colors. Interestingly, although the Holi festival had already concluded, workers were still present at the facility to wrap up operations and handle remaining materials when the disaster struck.
Police Response and Immediate Actions
Superintendent Singh detailed that on March 7, the Safidon city police station received urgent information about a fire breaking out in a factory. A police team promptly reached the location and discovered an intensely raging fire inside a house-like factory building, with the main gate securely locked.
Fire brigade units and ambulances were immediately summoned to the spot. Through concerted joint efforts, the fire was eventually brought under control. During the critical rescue operation, several individuals were found inside the factory in severely burnt conditions. They were swiftly transported by ambulances to multiple medical facilities, including the general hospital in Safidon, as well as hospitals in Hisar, Panipat, and PGIMS Rohtak.
Upon examination at these hospitals, doctors declared four of the women dead at the scene. The subsequent deaths of three more women during treatment have compounded the tragedy.
Legal Proceedings and Arrests
Based on the statement provided by Vijay, son of the deceased Guddi from Safidon, a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered at the local city police station. The charges include sections 287, 288, 106(1), 125, and 143(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 5 of the Explosives Act and provisions of the Bonded Labour Act, as stated by SP Kuldeep Singh.
In a significant development, the police have arrested the factory owner, identified as Rakesh, a resident of Safidon. Furthermore, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted under the leadership of IPS officer Sonakshi Singh. This team is tasked with apprehending other accused individuals and thoroughly investigating the entire incident to uncover all relevant facts and ensure justice is served.
