Uttar Pradesh: 12 killed in fire at chemical factory in Hapur

New Delhi, Jun 04: Twelve people were killed and 21 injured in a huge fire at a chemical factory in Uttar Pradesh's Hapur district. The disaster occured in the factory in the UPSIDC industrial area in Dholana, around 80 km from Delhi.

The impact of the explosion was so intense that the roofs of some of the factories located in the vicinity were damaged. It took three hours for the fire tenders to douse the blaze in the factory.

It took three hours for fire tenders to douse the blaze. Superintendent of Police of Hapur Deepak Bhuker said 12 people had died and 21 were injured and undergoing treatment.

"The factory was given the licence to manufacture electronic items. And now, it is a matter of probe what exactly was going on here. This is a sad incident. Forensic teams have reached here and are collecting samples," District Magistrate of Hapur Medha Roopam told PTI.

"Our efforts are to ensure that the injured persons get the best medical treatment. Some of them have been referred to Safdarjung Hospital," she added. Other factories in the area will be inspected, the district magistrate said, adding that action would also be taken against officials concerned if it was found in the probe that the incident took place due to their laxity.

The factory is located adjacent to a CNG pump. Rescue and relief measures were continuing at the site, according to officials.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the loss of lives.

"The accident in the chemical factory of Hapur, Uttar Pradesh is heart-wrenching. I express my condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in this. The state government is actively involved in providing treatment to the injured and all possible help," PM Modi tweeted.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condoled the deaths and asked officials to extend all help to the families of the deceased.

"The chief minister has directed district administration officers to go to the spot and oversee rescue and relief measures and extend all possible help to the victims and their families," the CM's office tweeted.

UP minister for industrial development Nand Gopal Gupta 'Nandi' expressed grief over the loss of lives.

"May God give peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved families to bear the immense loss. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured," the minister tweeted.