Seven persons burnt alive, 12 injured in a fire in cracker packing factory in Una HP

DHARAMSALA: Seven persons were burnt alive and 12 injured in a fire that broke out following a blast at a firecracker packaging factory in Haroli tehsil of Una district in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday morning, a senior district official said. Six women died on the spot while some workers managed to get out, but many came under fire. It is being said that more than 30 workers inside the industry came under fire.

Officials said more casualties were feared as 10 workers had sustained critical burn injuries. He said a fire brigade engine was immediately rushed to the spot after the blast and the fire had been contained.

Officials from the police and civil administration too have reached the spot. The cause of the fire is not immediately known.

Una Superintendent of Police P Arjit Sen said the fire was reported at the firecracker packing factory at Gurpalah near Bathri under Tahliwal Industrial Area in Haroli tehsil. He said an investigation was underway and a police team had visited the spot.

It is reported that the fire has been brought under control and the people injured in the fire have been shifted to the hospital. Administration and local people also came forward to help the injured and they were immediately rushed to the hospital. Six personnel were referred to Regional Hospital Una, one is in ESI. Preparations are on to send the seriously injured people to PGI Chandigarh.

DSP Haroli Anil Patial said that investigation is being done on the spot. All aspects are being thoroughly examined. DC Una Raghav Sharma, SP Arjit Sen, General Manager of Industries Anshul Dhiman were also present on the spot. Deputy Commissioner Una Raghav Sharma said that a magisterial inquiry will be conducted to investigate the factory and strict action will be taken against the culprits.