Bhiwadi: Seven workers were killed in a major fire at a chemical factory in the Khushkhera-Karoli industrial area on Monday, with two more persons still believed to be trapped inside the premises. The incident triggered a large-scale emergency response, with police and fire services launching an immediate rescue and recovery operation.
Officials said the blaze broke out inside an industrial unit handling chemical materials, leading to rapid spread of flames and dense smoke, which hampered early rescue efforts.
Fire reported during patrol, rescue launched
According to district authorities, the incident came to light when police teams on routine patrol noticed the fire and alerted emergency services. Fire tenders and rescue teams were rushed to the spot, and evacuation and search operations began without delay.
Additional District Magistrate Sumita Mishra said that nine workers were initially believed to be trapped inside the factory building when the fire broke out.
“Police came to know about the incident during patrol, following which a rescue operation was launched immediately. Nine people were trapped inside. Seven bodies have been taken out so far,” she said.
Search teams are continuing operations to locate and rescue the remaining two workers feared trapped within the damaged structure.
Chemical unit location worsened blaze
Officials indicated that the factory dealt with chemical materials, which may have intensified the fire and increased the risk for those inside. The presence of combustible substances and stored chemical stock is believed to have accelerated flame spread and heat levels.
Firefighters faced difficulty entering certain sections of the unit due to high temperatures, smoke concentration and partial structural damage. Special protective gear and controlled entry methods were used as teams moved through different sections of the facility.
Authorities said cooling operations are ongoing to prevent flare-ups and make the interior safe enough for deeper search.
Bodies recovered, identification under way
Seven bodies have been recovered from inside the factory so far and shifted for post-mortem examination. Officials said the process of formal identification is under way, with help from co-workers, factory records and family members.
Due to burn severity, forensic and medical teams may use additional methods if visual identification proves difficult. District officials are coordinating with labour and revenue departments to trace next of kin and extend immediate assistance.
Local administration sources said compensation and relief measures will be considered as per disaster and labour safety norms once identification and documentation are completed.
Probe into cause and safety compliance
A preliminary inquiry has been initiated to determine the cause of the fire. Investigators will examine whether the blaze started due to a chemical reaction, electrical fault, storage violation or handling error.
Factory safety systems — including fire suppression equipment, alarms, ventilation and emergency exits — will also come under scrutiny. Authorities are expected to review whether mandatory industrial safety protocols and hazardous material guidelines were being followed.
Statements from factory management, supervisors and surviving staff will be recorded as part of the investigation.
Industrial area risk concerns raised
The Khushkhera-Karoli belt is a known industrial cluster with multiple manufacturing and chemical-processing units. Monday’s incident has renewed concerns about fire preparedness, hazardous material storage and on-site emergency response capacity in such zones.
Industrial safety experts note that chemical factories require stricter fire audits, specialised suppression systems and regular evacuation drills due to elevated risk levels.
Local officials said a broader safety review of nearby units may be undertaken following the incident.
Operations continue
Rescue and cooling operations were continuing at the time of last reports, with teams attempting to access deeper sections of the factory to locate the two missing workers. Authorities said confirmed details on their status will be shared after teams complete a full sweep.
Further updates are expected after the fire is fully contained and the technical inspection is completed.