3 firemen injured during operation at factory in Najafgarh

NEW DELHI: Three firemen sustained injuries when they were involved in a fire fighting operation at a cardboard factory in Outer Delhi’s Najafgarh area on Monday morning.

They sustained grievous injuries on their face, legs and arms, and are undergoing treatment. Luckily, no casualties have been reported from the spot.

Fire officials said that they received a call about the incident at 4.10 pm, soon after which seven fire tenders were rushed to the spot.

“We had doused the fire within 30 minutes. But later three firemen, Ram Kumar, Anil Kumar and Arvind were hit by an incoming fire ball and sustained grievous burn injuries,” said a Delhi Fire Services (DFS) official.

Two of them later fainted from suffocation due to the smoke that was emanating from the factory.

A fellow firefighter heard the third firefighter’s cry for help and rushed to rescue his colleagues.

The three injured firemen were later transferred to a local hospital.

According to DFS official, a suspected short circuit was responsible for the fire. However, the authorities are waiting for the final report on the blaze to make further comments on the matter.

“The incident occurred in the 500 square yard basement of the cardboard factory,” the official said, adding that the cause of the fire can be ascertained only after a police investigation is undertaken.

Ram Kumar and Anil Kumar — posted at the Janakpuri branch of DFS — were admitted to the ICU, while Arvind was discharged on Monday evening.