One killed, two injured in blast at tyre godown in New Delhi

New Delhi, 0ct.6 (ANI): A fireman was killed and two policemen injured while trying to extinguish a fire that broke out in a tyre godown here on Wednesday.

Firefighters rushed to the spot after fire broke out at around 1 a.m. in East Delhi's Vishwas Nagar area in Shahdra.

"The fire was upgraded because the smoke was dense. At around 4 a.m., there was an explosion when the firefighters were cutting the shutter and were trying to enter the basement. At that time one of our firefighters died and two policemen were injured," said A. K. Sharma, fire officer.

The basement of the building was used as a storehouse for tyres and tubes. On the first floor, an extruding machine and plastic materials were also kept while the other floors were being used for residential purposes.

Initial investigations said that inflammable objects were stored in the basement that may have triggered off the blast.

The explosion tore apart the iron gate of the godown and resulted in the collapse of the building's roof. The fire was brought under control later.

The police also admitted that the godown might have been illegal, as a No Objection Certificate has not been issued to the owner. (ANI)