New Delhi:
At least 13 people were killed while 17 others suffered burn injuries when a massive fire broke out at an unauthorised garment factory in Ghaziabad's Sahibabad area on Friday.
Sources said that the condition of three of the survivors is said to be critical. Many lives could have been saved if there was an effective firefighting system.
Sources pointed out the apathy of the fire tenders who reached the spot two hours late.
Video: Blaze at unauthorised garment factory kills 13, locals accuse fire brigade of apathy
I was at the ground floor of the building when the fire broke out. I took refuge in a toilet and somehow survived the blaze," said Rizwan, a worker who lost his three siblings in the accident.
The local residents tried to douse the flames themselves using water and fire extinguishers. They later managed to demolish a wall and took some bodies out.
Sources said that there were at least 20 people working at the factory when the blaze broke out due to a short circuit at about 5.20am. About four persons managed to escape through terrace of the building.
