The fireman was knocked unconscious when a concrete block fell on him as he entered the building. He is admitted in AIIMS
It's easy to forget the dangers that firefighters face when they go into buildings to save lives. But Ram Ratan, 48, reminded Delhi of this when he entered a garment factory, in South-East Delhi's Okhla area, to control the fire and save lives.
Upon entering, a concrete block fell from the ceiling, hitting Ratan and injuring his spine. He was rendered unconscious on the spot. He is undergoing treatment at AIIMS hospital and doctors say he is lucky to be alive.
Anil Agarwal, owner of Aakarsh Exports' factory located in Okhla Industrial Area, Phase-I, says he is running into estimated losses of crores. The company was involved in exporting ready-made garments.
As per officials, the fire first broke around 7 am and was under control by 1:30 pm but later due to the sparks the fire again flamed up. The officials claimed that the cause of fire could be a possible short-circuit but the final report will reveal the exact cause.
"While I was coming back from my morning walk at 7, I saw smoke coming out from the windows. I called other people who then called the fire brigade" said Diwan Singh, a local. Another person, Sarven Verma said, "By 7:30 am the firefighters had reached the spot and tried to control the fire."
As many as 32 fire tenders were rushed to the spot, a fire department official said.
"There was a short circuit on the first floor that set it on fire which eventually spread to second floor and ground floor. The ground floor and first floor have been completely damaged while the second floor is partially burnt," said ADO Ram Niwas, a firefighter while inspecting the building. The fire is yet to be controlled.
Meanwhile, workers fear job losses because of the factory being burnt down.
"I will be having sleepless nights, I have a family, how am I going to feed them? I will have to start searching for some other job," said Amar Singh, a worker.
"It is going to be a hard time for all of us," added another employee.
Analysis
Lack of manpower and equipment is a huge problem for the fire department. Often, lack of knowledge of the design of the building results in such accidents
Short circuits are often the cause of fire. The owners need to be punished for faulty wiring
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Okhla-Phase")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}