Jaipur Factory Blast: Factory was running in residential area for 2 years; 8 lives could have been saved

Jaipur factory blast: 8 killed in illegal firecracker unit running in residential Kho Nagoriyan for 2 years without safety licenses.

The firecracker factory operating in the residential area of Kho Nagoriyan, Jaipur, had been running for more than two years. Safety standards were completely ignored in the factory. Neither fire extinguishers were present nor were the necessary safety resources available to deal with any emergency.

In such a situation, the police now say that the mandatory license required for running the factory had not been taken either. Despite the sensitive nature of work like manufacturing and storing explosive materials, this unit continued to operate in a densely populated area. But it did not catch the attention of the concerned departments.

Regulations exist for firecracker factories and warehouses in the country

Strict safety standards are prescribed for firecracker manufacturing factories and storage (warehouses) in the country. These are primarily enforced under the Explosives Act, 1884, the Explosives Rules, 2008, and the guidelines of the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). To prevent fire and explosion incidents, the following key standards should be met.

This was bound to happen because…

In rules: License and Approval. License from PESO is mandatory. Necessary approvals from local body, fire department and pollution control board should be there.

On ground: None of this.

In rules: Factory and warehouse should be established away from dense population. Minimum safe distance is fixed from buildings, roads and other units.

On ground: Residential houses are side-by-side.

In rules: There should be separate rooms for mixing, filling, drying, packing and storage of firecrackers.

On spot: Everything was being done in one small building.

In rules: There should be a fixed number of workers in each shift and chemical or finished goods should not be kept beyond a specified quantity.

On ground: No monitoring.

In rules: Fire extinguisher, water, sand and other firefighting resources.

On ground: Nothing.

What the police and eyewitnesses said

According to the police and eyewitnesses, Kayoom Khan, a resident of Kho Nagoriyan, has rented out a house in Karim Nagar Talai to Firoz, a resident of Delhi, in which firecrackers are manufactured. At 11 am, a fire broke out in the factory and took a massive form. The people present inside were caught in the fire. Their bodies were burnt by the gunpowder.

When the rescue workers entered inside the house, the sight there was extremely horrific. Many people were found severely burnt. All the injured were first taken to JNU Hospital, where after primary treatment, the critically injured were referred to Sawai Man Singh Hospital.

Three died on the spot, while five individuals succumbed during treatment. Those who died include Mohammad Ashraf (40), resident of Peerji Colony Dhundhiyo ki Dhani Kho Nagoriyan, Mohammad Rabbil (16), Rahim Nagar resident Abdul Wahid (46), Samir Khan (20), Bilal (28), Azim (18) and Nasir Khan (25).

One deceased has not been identified. The police have registered a case against the factory owner. The role of the house owner is also being investigated. Following the incident, a team from the FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) gathered evidence from the spot. Experts have initiated an investigation into the causes of the blast and the materials kept there.

People ran to escape the flames

Several labourers were working in the factory at the time of the accident. To escape the fire, they ran outside to save their lives. Some people came out while being engulfed in flames. The burnt people were writhing in pain and pleading to save their lives.

According to local residents, this firecracker factory had been running for two years. People living nearby told that firecrackers were made throughout the day. At night, the people present there would check the firecracker by bursting it after manufacturing.

Police engaged in search of Firoz, used to bring material from Delhi

Following the accident, the factory operator Firoz is absconding. Firoz used to bring materials related to firecrackers and explosive substances from Delhi and was getting the packaging and related work of firecrackers done in Jaipur. According to the police, the house owner Kayoom is also said to be absconding. The complete truth will come to light only after their arrest.