One Dead In Fire At Paper Factory In East Delhi, 32 Engines At Spot

One person has died in a massive fire that broke out at a paper factory in east Delhi early this morning. Thirty-two fire engines were rushed to the spot.

The blaze broke out at the factory in Patparganj Industrial Area at around 2 am, said officials. Visuals captured the massive blaze at the three-storey building as firemen tried to put out the flames.

Plumes of smoke billowed from the building this morning after flames were doused.

The blaze is now under control, said officials, adding that they are trying to find out the cause of the fire. 

The latest incident comes weeks after nine people, including three children, were killed in a fire at a cloth warehouse in northwest Delhi. The building in Kirari area had no fire equipment and only one staircase.

Last month, 43 people were killed when they were trapped in a massive blaze at an illegal bag-and-paper factory near central Delhi. The fire at Anaj Mandi was the second worst in the national capital after the Uphaar Cinema tragedy that left 59 dead and injured more than 100 people.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had described the Anaj Mandi fire incident as a "catastrophe" that was waiting to happen".  

About 100-150 people were sleeping in the building when the fire broke out and most of the victims choked to death. Narrow lanes and crowded buildings made it difficult for emergency personnel to reach the blaze in time.