Bhiwadi (Rajasthan): At least seven workers lost their lives in a major fire that broke out at a chemical factory in Bhiwadi on Monday morning. Authorities said several others were injured, while around 10 workers were feared trapped as firefighting and search operations continued.
The blaze, according to media reports, erupted at approximately 9:30 am when an estimated 20 to 25 workers were present inside the private industrial unit. The flames spread rapidly, engulfing a large section of the facility within minutes. While some workers managed to escape, others were caught inside as thick smoke and intense heat hampered evacuation efforts.
Police patrol teams first noticed the incident during routine rounds in the area, prompting an immediate emergency response. Personnel from the fire brigade, local police, medical services and the district administration rushed to the site. The surrounding zone was quickly cordoned off to ensure safe rescue and relief operations.
Firefighters battled the flames for nearly one-and-a-half hours before bringing the situation under control. Cooling operations were subsequently initiated to prevent flare-ups, while teams began combing through the damaged sections of the factory to locate missing workers.
Additional District Magistrate Sumita Mishra informed media confirming the number of fatalities and informing that injured workers had been shifted to nearby medical facilities for treatment. However, officials have not yet determined the exact cause of the fire.
Tijara Deputy Superintendent of Police Shivraj Singh is supervising the preliminary investigation at the scene. Senior district officials, including the Superintendent of Police and the ADM, conducted an on-site assessment. The district administration has announced a magisterial inquiry to ascertain the cause of the blaze and evaluate any potential lapses in industrial safety protocols.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy. In a message shared via the PMO’s official handle on X, he described the incident as “tragic and deeply saddening,” extending condolences to the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery to those injured.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma also conveyed his sorrow and directed the district administration to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured.
Bhiwadi, a key industrial hub in Rajasthan, houses several manufacturing and chemical processing units. Monday’s incident has once again drawn attention to workplace safety measures and emergency preparedness within high-risk industrial facilities.
Rescue teams remained at the site late into the day, continuing efforts to trace the missing and assess structural damage. Further details are awaited as the inquiry progresses.
