Maharashtra: 6 dead in gloves factory fire; CM announces compensation
Thirteen workers were asleep in the premises when the blaze started in the Sunshine Enterprises unit around 1 am; seven managed to escape by breaking the roof
Six workers were killed after a fire broke out in a hand gloves manufacturing factory in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district early on Sunday (December 31).
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced Rs 5 lakh each as compensation to the kin of the six persons who died in the fire.
According to the police, the blaze started around 1 am in the Sunshine Enterprises unit located in Waluj industrial area. Thirteen workers were asleep in the premises when the incident took place.
Six of them were killed, while seven managed to come out by breaking the tin roof of the factory, said the police.
Preliminary probe on
Police Commissioner Manoj Lohiya said, “The fire broke out in the Sunshine Enterprises factory, which makes cotton and leather hand gloves, in Waluj MIDC. The police control room came to know about the incident at 1.15 am.”
After being alerted, the fire brigade rushed the spot and brought the fire under control by around 3.30 am, he said.
“Thirteen people were trapped inside the premises. Seven of them succeeded in coming out, while six died,” he said.
A preliminary inquiry was on into the incident, he said. Some of the workers who survived suffered injuries and were being medically examined, he added.
Cause not yet known
District guardian minister Sandipan Bhumare, who visited the fire-hit unit in the morning, told reporters that the workers resided above the factory.
“The plot was for industrial use and not for residential purpose, but unfortunately, the workers were living there. Electricians have been called for an inquiry and the cause of the fire will be found out,” he said.
Worker Ali Akbar, who managed to come out of the factory, said, “The work was over and we all had slept. But after some time, we felt hot. We woke up and saw there was a fire. We went to the roof and climbed down a tree.”
The six deceased were yet to be identified, an official from the Government Medical College and Hospital said.
Message from CMO
A statement from the CMO said Shinde issued directives to authorities to disburse Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of the deceased and also bear the medical expenses of those injured.
He expressed grief at the loss of lives, the statement added.
(With agency inputs)